Avalanche Crest #3

Avalanche Crest sits above the Illecillewaet parking in Glacier National Park, on the west side of Rogers Pass. The ski tour follows the summer Avalanche Crest trail from the lot, climbing through dense cedar–hemlock forest before breaking into the open bowl below the ridge. From the ridge, Avalanche Crest #3 is one of several parallel gullies and faces dropping back toward the Trans‑Canada Highway, with a clear line of sight to the parking the whole way.

Terrain is classic Rogers Pass alpine and subalpine: open west to southwest-facing slopes with gullies, convex rolls and overhead exposure from the Avalanche Crest cornice and cliff bands. The line has seen significant tree clean‑out from past avalanches, which makes for smoother skiing but also underlines the consequence of a slide. Expect busy traffic on storm and high-pressure days; manage overhead hazard from other parties and give space in the start zones and through the mid-slope rolls.

Approach from the Illecillewaet parking by skinning the old railway grade, then picking up the signed Avalanche Crest trail and following its steady grade to treeline and the ridge. From the crest, trend along to the #3 start and choose your gully carefully; both main options rejoin lower down and funnel toward the highway. Finish by staying alert near the road cut—avoid terrain traps in the final gullies and give a wide berth to snowplow runout and highway debris before traversing back to the lot.

This zone lies inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System and includes Winter Restricted Areas that may close for artillery control. Check the daily Rogers Pass winter access map and avalanche bulletin before committing, and carry the required winter permit if your line crosses a restricted polygon. Full access details and current closures: Parks Canada – Avalanche Crest.