Rogers Pass

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Tupper Designated Access Route

From Stone Arch parking (restricted/permit parking only when the area is posted open , and you must have a valid winter permit + parking permit ), follow the marked trail SW toward Rogers Pass between the Trans-Canada Hwy and CP rail. After ~600 m, cross over the Connaught Tunnel (not the tracks), then continue ~100 m west/uphill on the access road. Just past Cascade Creek, an orange marker indicates where to break ~100 m upslope to an abandoned rail grade; turn right and follow it NE. Beyond this point, you can choose your own route into the Winter Restricted Area. Always stay at least 5 m from CP property.

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Rogers Pass Discovery Center

Rogers Pass Discovery Centre sits at the summit of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, right on the Trans-Canada Highway corridor. It’s the main Parks Canada hub for Rogers Pass National Historic Site, with exhibits on the railway history, avalanche control program, and local natural history. The building is styled like an avalanche shed and anchors most frontcountry services in the pass. In winter, this is the key in-person stop for Rogers Pass ski tourers using the Winter Permit System. Annual Winter Permits are obtained online, but same-day permits are only issued here, and you must also carry a valid national park pass. Use the Centre/Summit Station to confirm which Winter Restricted Areas are open, pick up the correct printed parking permit for your trailhead, and get the latest avalanche control and access information before heading into the permit zones. The Discovery Centre and adjacent summit washrooms are the only fully barrier-free facilities in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier during the snow season, with accessible washrooms and a tactile topographic map inside. In the snow-free months, nearby short trails leave from the pass area, including walks along the old rail grade toward the Glacier House ruins; check with staff for current trail status, wildlife-related closures, and any construction or traffic disruptions affecting roadside parking. For current hours and construction updates, see Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Centre page .

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Bostock

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Camp west lite

Camp West Lite is a ski touring line on the west side of McGill Shoulder above the Trans-Canada Highway in Rogers Pass, accessed from the Bostock trailhead. From the parking, you follow the established winter skin track up McGill Shoulder, initially on the summer trail before it branches right after the last left-hand switchback and continues through mature forest to the broad south-facing ridge. The line drops from the ridge into the Camp West slide path on a west-facing slope, offering a long, open avalanche path descent back to the valley. Camp West Lite joins the steeper main Camp West path roughly two-thirds of the way down, then follows the shared runout to the highway, with a flat ski back along the road corridor to the Bostock parking. Terrain is large-path avalanche skiing with overhead hazard and a pronounced roll where the two paths merge; in lean snowpacks this area can hide a cliffy choke and creek features, so many parties trend skier’s left to stay high on the wall and avoid the constriction before cutting back into the forest. The shoulder itself is a common uptrack and can be thin, crusty, and sun-affected due to its southerly aspect, with better snow quality once you gain the higher ridge. This zone is fully alpine avalanche terrain managed under Glacier National Park’s winter permit system; check current Rogers Pass winter access rules, daily avalanche bulletins, and any artillery control closures before committing to the line. More info

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Choke

Narrow choke that can be problematic when the snowpack is thin, with rocks and other obstacles close to the surface. In a deeper snow year it tends to fill in and ski more cleanly, but still rides tighter than the rest of the line. It's easy to scope from the highway. A mellower bypass trends skier’s left around the main constriction. From above, identify the choke, then traverse left early on stable snow to pick up the alternate line and avoid getting funneled into the tightest section.

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Camp West

Camp West is a large avalanche path dropping from the McGill Shoulder area above the Trans-Canada Highway in Rogers Pass, accessed from the Bostock trailhead. From the established skin track up McGill Shoulder you gain the main ridge, then continue along it to reach the more exposed “full goods” start zones above the slide path. The upper pitches are serious, with multiple steep options and several possible entrances off the ridge. Expect overhead hazard, big open start zones and significant consequence if it runs wall-to-wall. Cornices typically build on the north side of the ridge; give them a wide berth on both the approach and when picking a drop-in. This line is popular and can see multiple parties stacked in the same path. Manage group spacing carefully, avoid stopping in the gut, and make sure you have eyes on any parties above and below before committing. Treat it as full-size avalanche terrain and wait for a solid, well-bridged snowpack and stable hazard before stepping up to this version. For broader planning info and current conditions, start with Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park and Rogers Pass avalanche bulletins and maps: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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McGill Shoulder Uptrack

From the parking, follow the signed summer trail briefly, then pick up the well-established uptrack that branches right after the last major left-hand switchback to climb the forested south-facing shoulder toward treeline. The skintrack is usually direct and sustained, with tight kick turns through mature trees and a noticeable grind at lower elevations where coverage can be thin and crusty early season. Above about treeline the route transitions from dense forest to more open glades and then a narrowing ridge. Parties commonly continue toward the main McGill chutes, west-facing glades, or Camp West slide path, but all of these options involve committing avalanche terrain. Expect overhead hazard from large alpine bowls feeding into gullies and fans, with frequent wind loading and pockets of stiff slab near the ridge.

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Christiana Glades

Christiana Glades is a mellow tree-skiing zone on Christiana Ridge in the Bostock Creek area of Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. It sits beside the busier McGill Shoulder and offers old-growth forest with well-spaced glades that ski well on storm days when visibility is poor and avalanche hazard is touchy in bigger alpine terrain. From the Bostock Creek Trail, the approach follows the main track before cutting right toward Bostock Creek, then crossing the creek on snow pillows to reach the base of Christiana Ridge. The uptrack generally climbs a shallow gully and then rolls into open clearings and mature timber, trending toward the upper ridge until you hit the boundary of the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area, where further uphill travel is not allowed. Terrain is mostly low to moderate angle glades with short steeper rolls, natural pillow lines and small features along the ridge. The skiing is straightforward by following the uptrack back down, picking off pillows and openings on either side while staying clear of the adjacent Winter Prohibited Area. This zone is best as a conservative option for deep storm cycles, when you want sheltered trees and manageable angles rather than big, committing lines. Christiana Glades lies inside a Winter Restricted Area governed by Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System, and the upper ridge borders the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area. You must understand the daily Winter Restricted Area status, know the mapped boundaries, and carry the required permit before entering. Always confirm current closures and avalanche conditions with Parks Canada and the Rogers Pass avalanche bulletin before committing to the route. 

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Christiana uptrack

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Christiana Glades

Christiana Glades is a mellow tree-skiing zone on Christiana Ridge in the Bostock Creek area of Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. It sits beside the busier McGill Shoulder and offers old-growth forest with well-spaced glades that ski well on storm days when visibility is poor and avalanche hazard is touchy in bigger alpine terrain. From the Bostock Creek Trail, the approach follows the main track before cutting right toward Bostock Creek, then crossing the creek on snow pillows to reach the base of Christiana Ridge. The uptrack generally climbs a shallow gully and then rolls into open clearings and mature timber, trending toward the upper ridge until you hit the boundary of the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area, where further uphill travel is not allowed. Terrain is mostly low to moderate angle glades with short steeper rolls, natural pillow lines and small features along the ridge. The skiing is straightforward by following the uptrack back down, picking off pillows and openings on either side while staying clear of the adjacent Winter Prohibited Area. This zone is best as a conservative option for deep storm cycles, when you want sheltered trees and manageable angles rather than big, committing lines. Christiana Glades lies inside a Winter Restricted Area governed by Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System, and the upper ridge borders the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area. You must understand the daily Winter Restricted Area status, know the mapped boundaries, and carry the required permit before entering. Always confirm current closures and avalanche conditions with Parks Canada and the Rogers Pass avalanche bulletin before committing to the route. 

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Christiana Glades

Christiana Glades is a mellow tree-skiing zone on Christiana Ridge in the Bostock Creek area of Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. It sits beside the busier McGill Shoulder and offers old-growth forest with well-spaced glades that ski well on storm days when visibility is poor and avalanche hazard is touchy in bigger alpine terrain. From the Bostock Creek Trail, the approach follows the main track before cutting right toward Bostock Creek, then crossing the creek on snow pillows to reach the base of Christiana Ridge. The uptrack generally climbs a shallow gully and then rolls into open clearings and mature timber, trending toward the upper ridge until you hit the boundary of the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area, where further uphill travel is not allowed. Terrain is mostly low to moderate angle glades with short steeper rolls, natural pillow lines and small features along the ridge. The skiing is straightforward by following the uptrack back down, picking off pillows and openings on either side while staying clear of the adjacent Winter Prohibited Area. This zone is best as a conservative option for deep storm cycles, when you want sheltered trees and manageable angles rather than big, committing lines. Christiana Glades lies inside a Winter Restricted Area governed by Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System, and the upper ridge borders the Fidelity Winter Prohibited Area. You must understand the daily Winter Restricted Area status, know the mapped boundaries, and carry the required permit before entering. Always confirm current closures and avalanche conditions with Parks Canada and the Rogers Pass avalanche bulletin before committing to the route. 

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Bostock Creek Trail

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McGill Glades

McGill Glades sit on the McGill Shoulder above the Bostock Creek corridor in Rogers Pass, offering short, lap-friendly tree skiing on a south‑ to southwest‑facing slope. The glades are used as the lower, more conservative option on the standard McGill Shoulder ascent toward the McGill Main Chutes and Camp West, and they link back into the Bostock trail system for the exit. From the Bostock parking area, follow the Bostock summer trail skintrack into the forest, then watch for the established McGill Shoulder uptrack branching right after the last major left‑hand switchback. This climbs through generally well‑spaced trees to the ridge. From around treeline you can drop west into McGill Glades for a sheltered lap, then contour back toward the shoulder to regain the main skintrack for another round. The glades are popular as a lower‑exposure choice in stormy weather or when hazard is elevated on the bigger slide paths above. Still, you’re on a south‑facing shoulder that can be thin, crusty, or icy after warm or clear spells, and the approach often feels like a grind for the length of the skiing.  McGill Glades lie inside Glacier National Park’s winter permit system. Check the Rogers Pass winter restricted and prohibited areas, daily avalanche bulletin, and current access status before heading out, and carry the required winter permit if your route crosses any restricted zones. Full regulations and daily maps are posted by Parks Canada at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre and online: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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McGill Slide Paths

Two adjacent slide paths dropping off the windward side of the McGill Shoulder, skied as steep chutes with similar character. Usual access is from the established McGill Shoulder uptrack, traversing in near the sub-peak to reach the rollover into the lines. From the exits it is often possible to traverse back skier’s left to regain the uptrack around 1,600 m for fast laps, but this works best right after a storm when coverage is smooth. Being on the windward side, new snow can get stripped and older snow can be hammered or firm; these ski best with a recent refresh before they get tracked out.

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Generals

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Mocassin Flats

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Generals East

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To Camp West

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Mount McGill Acess

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McGill Pass Access

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Copper Peak North Couloir

The marquee line on Copper Peak’s north side is a steep, aesthetic couloir with real exposure from the first turn. Expect a confined upper slot with rock walls and frequent rock, ice, or cornice features guarding the entrance, then a sustained fall-line runout that stays shaded and cold. Snow can be highly variable at the choke: wind-scoured and firm, or loaded with stiff wind slab. Overhead hazard from cornices and rockfall is common, and sluff can build quickly in the gut, especially after storms. Treat the line as serious no-fall terrain; a mistake high in the couloir has consequences all the way to the fan. From the usual high point on the ridge, most parties boot the final section to the entrance, often transitioning on a small, exposed platform. Many skiers belay the first person into the line when coverage is thin or the cornice is tricky to breach. Once committed, there are few safe islands to regroup until you are well into the lower fan. Best in settled winter or early spring when the pack is deep and the upper walls are filled in, but before intense solar input starts shedding cornices and rock onto the line. Conservative avalanche timing and a tight group management plan are mandatory here; this is not a good first big couloir for newer partners.

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Fidelity Mountain North Face

Big, varied north-facing terrain with lots of line options. Remote feel and long day logistics.

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Ross Pillow access track

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Ross Pillow

Ross Pillow is a small pillow zone above the Loop Brook corridor in Glacier National Park, used as a quick hit or warm-up before committing to bigger days up Loop Brook. Expect short, playful shots through mature trees with multiple options to link mini spines and pillows back toward the drainage. From the Loop Brook parking, follow the designated access toward Cougar Creek East, then skin the forested ridge trending south toward Ross Peak. Cut east into the pillows around 1,325 m, or continue higher along the ridge for steeper, more committing entrances dropping from the upper cliff band. Most laps finish back in the lower trees above the Loop Brook drainage; set an uptrack that avoids terrain traps in the creek bottom. This zone sits in the West Rogers permit area. A Parks Canada Winter Permit, Winter Parking Permit, and national park pass are mandatory for any backcountry travel here, and you must confirm that Loop Brook / Ross Peak access is open on the daily Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map before leaving the lot. Artillery control, sudden closures, and unmarked permit boundaries are all real factors—if the West Rogers area or Ross Peak Designated Access Route is closed, this zone is off-limits. Pillows and short rolls can hide convexities and small terrain traps; watch for overhead hazard from the upper cliffs if you drop in from the top, and manage sluff and storm slabs running into the lower benches. Wind loading from prevailing SW–W flow can stiffen the upper start zones while the trees hold deeper storm snow, so cross-check the avalanche bulletin and be conservative with line choice when hazard is elevated. Full details on permits, daily area openings, and the Ross Peak Designated Access Route are on Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass pages: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Corbin Southeast Face

Classic long tour with a big, rewarding southeast descent. 

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Southeast face

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Access

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Choke

Choke, bring your rappel kit

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Cougar West face

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Cougar Access

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Cougar pass access

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Gunners #2

Gunners #2 is a tight, cougar-style couloir line dropping south through broken alpine terrain above Rogers Pass. The line funnels into a distinct pinch that forms the main crux, with walls closing in and snow often more firm or scraped than the upper apron. Above, expect typical ridge-top overhead hazard from cornices and wind loading; give the start zone a wide berth when you’re scoping it from the ridge and manage your group spacing through the gut. From the ridge, trend into the obvious couloir entrance, staying clear of any cornice lips and cross-loaded pockets on the flanks. Once committed, the line is straightforward but confined; sluff can run fast through the choke, so manage fall-line stacking and pull out to safe spots on micro-shoulders where the walls ease. Lower down, the couloir opens into more mellow terrain that lets you run it out toward the fan and regroup well clear of any overhead start zones. This line often comes into shape earlier than more sun-exposed options nearby, but that also means early-season sharks in the pinch and firm, refrozen surfaces if you miss the timing. It skis best with a right-side-up snowpack and recent soft snow over a supportive base; avoid it during active wind loading, rapid warming, or when the ridge is shedding cornice chunks into the gut. Treat it as a serious terrain trap in poor visibility or touchy conditions—easy to get in, harder to get out once it’s moving.

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Gunners #2 alternative

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Gunners #1

Gunners #1 is one of the artillery-controlled avalanche paths above the Trans-Canada Highway in Rogers Pass, within Glacier National Park, British Columbia. The line drops through steep subalpine terrain into mature forest, with a tight upper constriction that often skis rougher and more technical than neighbouring Gunners #2 before it opens into lower-angle trees. From the highway corridor or nearby parking, skin up through dense forest following the fall line toward the obvious gully feature, taking care to stay out of the main path during active storm or warm-up cycles. The upper start zone sits in open, wind-affected terrain where slabs can build quickly; manage overhead hazard carefully here before committing to the choke, then work into the more forgiving lower trees once past the narrow section.

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Possible ice

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Possible ice

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Mannix

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Mannix

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Mannix West

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Cougar North Face

Cougar North Face is a serious ski-mountaineering line dropping into the Cougar Creek drainage on the north side of the Rogers Pass highway corridor in Glacier National Park, BC. The face is steep, complex and broken by cliff bands, with multiple gullies that can be hard to read from above. Expect sustained committing terrain with no easy escape once you drop. Access is via the Rogers Pass winter permit system. Park at the designated lot for the Loop Brook / Cougar Creek area when it is posted open, then follow the signed designated access route that avoids Canadian Pacific property to reach the Cougar Creek side. From there, you skin up through forested terrain toward the base of the north face before transitioning to bootpacking for the upper pitches as the slope steepens and the terrain becomes more technical. The line faces generally north, so it holds cold, dry snow but also collects wind loading and can hide stiff slabs over weak layers. The face is exposed above terrain traps and cliff bands, and the gullies can channel debris; overhead hazard from the upper wall is significant. This is complex avalanche terrain where a small mistake can have big consequences—strong group management, conservative timing and a solid read on the snowpack are mandatory. Rogers Pass is fully within a controlled artillery avalanche program. A valid Winter Permit (annual or daily), Winter Parking Permit and national park pass are required for any backcountry access, including this zone. Always confirm that the specific Winter Restricted Area and parking lot you need are open on the Parks Canada interactive map before committing to the approach, and build your plan around the daily avalanche control schedule and closures. For current regulations, permit details and daily area openings, see Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass winter permit information: official page .

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Cougar North face

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Cougar North Face

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Bagheera South Face

Bagheera’s south face looms above Cougar Creek in Glacier National Park, deep in the Rogers Pass permit system. Parties typically access it from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre via Connaught Creek to Balu Pass, then drop west into the Cougar Valley and skin up-valley until directly below the south face before switching to boot crampons for the final climb on firm melt-freeze snow and rock steps near the ridge. This is a full-value alpine day in remote terrain; build your schedule around short spring freeze windows and the Parks Canada winter permit timings. The south face is a big, serious ski-mountaineering line: steep upper panels with rock steps and a summit cornice, then a long, sustained fall-line face above exposure. Parties have used a short rappel from a cornice-block anchor to enter the line, and another rappel over a lower cliff band where shallow, faceted snow and protruding rock make a no-fall zone. Expect variable surface conditions from scoured crust and runnels to thin, faceted snow; rockfall and overhead cornice hazard are key concerns, especially once the sun hits. This face is highly condition-dependent and has seen descents only in very specific high-pressure windows with good overnight freezes. Aim for cold, locked-up snow on the ascent route and be off the south aspect before it turns to mush; rolling cloud cover or strong winds can help keep the surface cool, but don’t count on it. Treat the line as a committing objective with complex retreat options: once you drop in, you’re committed to managing rappels, thin cover and exposure all the way to the fan. From the fan, skiers have continued down moraines into Ursus Creek and then out over McGill Pass toward Bostock, turning the south-face ascent into a large traverse day linking multiple valleys. Factor in the extra distance, navigation in low visibility and the potential for very late exits in stormy weather. Check current avalanche bulletins and winter permit status with Parks Canada before committing to this zone, and carry a full ski-mountaineering kit including rope, pins, wires and screws for building your own anchors. For official area and permit info see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Bagheera East Peak South Face

South-facing line on the east sub-peak of Bagheera in the Hermit Range above Rogers Pass. Skis as a distinct face on the subsidiary summit rather than the main north-side objectives, so it often sees less traffic and can hold cleaner snow when the bigger lines are beat up or touchy. From the usual Bagheera approach, trend toward the east sub-peak and gain the upper basin below the south face. Skin or bootpack through broken glades and morainal rolls to the base, then switch to crampons and axe for the final climb when the surface firms up. The line finishes on the sub-peak, not the true summit, which keeps exposure and commitment a notch lower than the main mountain. Terrain is a planar south face with short rollovers and limited overhead hazard compared to the bigger north aspects, but it still collects wind effect and can build touchy slabs after storms or strong southwest flow. The lower fan tapers into gullied terrain that can act as a terrain trap in a slide cycle. Best skied when a solid melt–freeze or settled storm cycle has locked the pack in, with enough recent snow to smooth out old debris but not so much that you’re dealing with fresh storm or wind slabs.

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Catamount East Face

Big, committing alpine slab on the east side of Catamount above Cougar Brook in Glacier National Park. The face is smooth rock under the snowpack, with seasonal glide cracks and large cornices along the knife-edge east ridge, so it’s strictly a stable-snow objective, not a place to roll the dice on a sketchy forecast or warming trend. Standard access is from Rogers Pass Discovery Centre: skin up Connaught Creek to Balu Pass, then drop west into the Cougar drainage and trend toward Cougar Brook before climbing into the south bowl and up to Catamount Pass. From the pass, most parties boot the east ridge with crampons and axe; the ridge is often wind-scoured and icy, and you usually stop a few metres shy of the true summit where the corniced arête gets too thin. The east face is a steep, sustained alpine panel with serious overhead hazard from cornices and glide cracks. You want a deep, well-settled snowpack, cold temps, and low hazard in the alpine; many parties treat this as a mid-winter or early-spring “green-light only” line. In marginal stability, people avoid the exposed alpine “sneak” and instead use the longer Cougar Valley approach to stay out of the firing line as much as possible. This route lies in a Winter Restricted Area under the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. Daily permits, area status, and artillery closures are mandatory homework before you even leave the parking lot; expect closures and do not plan on improvising around them. Full details and current status are on the Parks Canada Glacier National Park ski touring page: official info .

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Catamount uptrack

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Bagheera North Face

Bagheera’s north face drops into the head of Ursus Creek in Glacier National Park, deep in the Rogers Pass touring zone. Most parties reach it from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre via Balu Pass, then traverse into Cougar Valley and climb Bagheera from the south before committing to the north side. Once you roll over, you are a long way from the highway with your exit pointed down-valley toward McGill Pass and Bostock Creek, not back to Connaught Creek. The line skis in distinct stages: a tight, fairly uniform entrance couloir, then a broad north-facing wall with a double fall line and hanging exposure, finishing in a second, narrower exit couloir that funnels into moraines above Ursus Creek. Expect overhead hazard from the upper face, cross-loaded pockets, and wind slab issues on the main panel; the exit choke has held snice and thin slabs that have forced short rappels in lean or firm conditions. Treat the whole thing as alpine terrain even when the skiing feels friendly lower down. From the bottom of the face, trend down-valley through long glacial moraines to reach the floor of Ursus Creek, then continue the big link-up toward McGill Pass and out to Bostock. You are committing to a full traverse with no easy bail once you drop the north side, so parties need solid stability, a clear weather window, and enough daylight and fitness to manage complex route-finding, avalanche terrain and potential transitions or rappels. This is not a first Rogers Pass north-face objective.

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Catamount pass

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Christmas couloir

Christmas Couloir sits on the south-facing flank of Ursus Major above the Connaught Creek drainage in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park. From the Connaught Creek skintrack you continue past Balu Pass into the broad Ursus Major South Bowl, with the line obvious ahead, tucked under the headwall of Ursus Major. Most parties gain the feature by skinning or booting up the nose or flanks of the face rather than straight up the gut, to reduce exposure to overhead hazard and rockfall. The line skis as a hybrid couloir/face with significant overhead terrain. Solar input is a major factor here: the south aspect bakes quickly, building crusts and reactive slabs over older sun crusts, and wet-loose or slab avalanches can run full-path into the bowl. Wind loading from the prevailing west and southwest can stiffen slabs along the flanks and convexities; several serious incidents have occurred on the slopes immediately beside the couloir when parties traversed under wind-loaded pockets and above cliff bands. Treat the lower cliffs and the constrictions as classic terrain traps. Approach and exit both run through complex avalanche terrain in the Connaught drainage, with multiple large paths overhead. You are in a fully committing Rogers Pass setting: long day, big vertical, and limited safe options once you are on the face. Conservative spacing, careful route selection on the flanks, and a solid read on recent sun crusts and wind events are mandatory. Check the Glacier National Park winter permit system and daily area openings before heading out, carry the required permits, and verify the Avalanche Canada forecast for the Rogers Pass region. Access to Christmas Couloir is subject to Parks Canada’s Winter Permit System for Rogers Pass, which now applies to all backcountry travel leaving the highway corridor. Make sure you have both a valid Winter Permit and any required parking permit, understand daily area closures for artillery control, and be prepared to change objectives if the Ursus/Connaught zones are closed. Full details and current regulations are on the Parks Canada site: Parks Canada – Rogers Pass winter permits .

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Cougar Brook Exit

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Balu Pass West Side

A practical “get in / get out” option tied to Cougar Brook travel—can be finicky and awkward in some conditions, and it’s not the kind of terrain you want to be forced to re-climb when you’re cooked.

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Ursus Major South Bowl

Ursus Major South Bowl sits just beyond Balu Pass in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park (BC). From the Connaught Creek parking you skin up the well-travelled Balu Pass uptrack, then drop slightly west into the broad south bowl beneath Ursus Major. The bowl is the main approach corridor for objectives like Christmas Couloir on the south face and the traverse toward Catamount Pass, so expect multiple existing tracks in settled conditions. The terrain is a large, open alpine bowl with south-facing to south‑east aspects and a mix of mellow benches and steeper rollovers feeding into gullies that drain toward Cougar Valley. Overhead hazard is significant from the flanking walls and from the headwall leading to Christmas Couloir; the bowl also acts as a collection zone for debris from those features. In poor visibility it’s easy to be pulled into the steeper gullies and terrain traps on the west side of the bowl. Solar effect is the main driver here: the south exposure heats quickly, producing crusts, loose wet avalanches and cornice/rockfall hazard on warm or clear spring days. Wind can cross‑load the upper start zones and the ribs below Ursus Major, so watch for stiff pockets over softer snow when you leave the main skintrack. Parties commonly use the bowl for both ascent and egress; give overhead slopes time to flush after storms or rapid warming before committing to long traverses under the walls. The bowl lies inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System. Daily area status, closures and seasonal restrictions change through the winter; you must check the current Winter Restricted Area map and avalanche bulletin before committing to travel in the Ursus Major South Bowl. Full regulations and daily openings are posted by Parks Canada. For current access and permit details see: Parks and route info .

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Balu Pass Uptrack

Classic Rogers Pass valley uptrack following Connaught Creek to Balu Pass at the head of the drainage. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, you skin west into the Connaught Creek corridor and quickly enter a series of large avalanche paths that sweep down from both Cheops (north side) and Grizzly/8812 (south side). The line shown is the standard mellow-gradient skintrack used to access Balu Pass itself as well as side trips to Hospital Bowl, 8812 Bowl, Cheops lines like STS Couloir and Niccy’s Notch, and routes over the pass toward Cougar Brook and Catamount Peak. Terrain is mostly low-angled valley bottom and open slidepath benches with short, steeper rolls as you approach the pass. You are in complex avalanche terrain the whole way, with overhead exposure to paths such as Grizzly Bowl, Frequent Flyer, Dispatcher’s, Hospital Gullies and the Cheops north-face paths including the 2003 STS slide. Parties typically manage hazard by moving one at a time through the bigger paths, staying high on the north side of the valley where appropriate, and avoiding lingering in obvious runouts or under corniced start zones. This uptrack lies inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. Check daily area openings, ATES ratings and avalanche forecasts before committing, and carry the required winter permit if applicable. Early season, expect thin cover, exposed rocks and alder in the lower valley; later in the season, wind effect and cross-loading near the pass and on adjacent ridges are common. The track is heavily used and usually easy to follow, but do not rely on an existing skintrack if it leads into terrain that does not match your group’s plan, conditions or risk tolerance.

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Copper Peaks

Unnamed north-facing ski line just east of the Copper Peaks north couloir. Expect similar alpine terrain to the main north couloir, with consequential exposure and no easy escape once you drop in. Treat it as a serious committing line rather than a mellow lap. Access it from the same approach you use for the Copper Peaks north couloir, then push a little farther east along the ridge to find the next obvious north-facing slot. Make sure you can clearly identify your exit and that it is not cliffed out from below; visibility and prior recon from the valley are key. Given the aspect and shape, watch for wind loading, cross-loaded pockets, and overhead hazard from the ridge. The line likely funnels into a terrain trap low down, so stability needs to be well above average before you commit. This is not a good first tour in the zone; only go if you already know the Copper Peaks north couloir well and have a solid read on local avalanche conditions.

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Camp West Alternate

Camp West Alternate is a ski line used when the main Camp West choke lower in the slide path is too thin, rocky, or otherwise not safely passable. Expect to stay skier’s left of the main constriction and use more sheltered terrain to bypass the narrow creek-cut section before rejoining the standard exit lower down.

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Christiana access track

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Ursus Creek exit

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McGill Pass

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Tupper access route

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Shaughnessy Designated Access Route

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Balu Pass

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Balu Pass

Classic Rogers Pass ski tour up Connaught Creek to Balu Pass, with options to drop over the crest into Cougar Brook/Cougar Valley or continue toward bigger objectives like Bagheera. From the Discovery Centre parking, skin out the north corner, pass behind the old Glacier Lodge and radio tower, then follow the old road to the bridge over Connaught Creek. Beyond the bridge the track trends up-valley on low-angled benches, gradually gaining the wide basin at the head of Connaught and the pass itself. The approach is straightforward but fully exposed to major slide paths off Grizzly Bowl, Teddy Bear Trees, Frequent Flyer, Dispatch Bowl, Ursus Trees and Hospital Gully. This entire zone is rated Complex on the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale, and Balu Pass has run wall-to-wall in the past. Treat the valley floor and the standard uptrack as serious overhead terrain, spacing out and moving quickly through runouts, and be aware that parties skiing lines like Frequent Flyer can directly threaten the skintrack. From Balu Pass you can lap the mellow rolling slopes on the Connaught side, or push over the pass into the Cougar drainage for longer, more committing circuits. Dropping too low too quickly toward Cougar Brook leads into cliff bands and a messy exit; stay high and conservative unless you know the terrain. Strong parties use this crossing as a gateway to big traverses (for example to Bagheera and out via McGill Pass), but that’s serious, remote terrain with complex route-finding. Ideal when the snowpack is well-settled and hazard is low to moderate, especially later in the season when the north-facing bowls hold cold snow while solar aspects start to heat up. Check the Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin, winter permit status, and any artillery closures before heading out, and start your day at the Discovery Centre for the latest info. More details and current restrictions: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park winter backcountry skiing .

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Cheops South Chutes

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Cheops South Chutes Left

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Cheops uptrack

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Cheops Cougar Valley

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Junction West

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Junction East

A practical option when you’re using the west ridge access and want a clean descent back down without overthinking it. It’s a big day by the numbers. The crux is low: around ~1450 m the route funnels through a choke that’s often thin. In a good cycle it’s just a quick pinch; after big avalanche activity it can be stripped to rock/ice. Do a quick visual from the highway, and keep your head up for cornice hazard on the ridge.

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Hourglass Uptrack

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Napoleon Spur

Napoleon is rowdy. This zone is one of the places around Rogers Pass where you can stack huge vertical in a single descent, but it’s complex terrain: steep chutes, avy paths, cliffs, and pillow features. It’s best suited to advanced skiers who are comfortable navigating in consequential terrain and choosing micro-features under pressure. The prime window is typically mid-winter (often early Jan → mid/late Feb ) before spring sun starts hammering the southern aspect. Expect tricky uptracking from the Illecillewaet corner toward the NRC Gully side, and bring a rappel kit until you really know the cliff bands. Exit is commonly via Tally Ho Road ; avoid trespassing on CP Rail property.

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Cheops South #1

A standout advanced run in the Napoleon zone, with a reputation for being “worth it” if you can nail the entrance. The start can feel subtle and slightly awkward to identify—expect some micro route-finding to drop in cleanly without getting pushed toward cliffs. Once you’re established in the fall line it opens up into proper steep avalanche-path skiing.  

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Cheops South #3

This one begins with a slightly technical setup: the top is guarded by features that can force you into a careful line choice before you’re properly in the chute. After that, it settles into a strong, classic gully-style descent—more “channelled” than some of the other Napoleon options.

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Cheops South #2

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Cheops South #3

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Cheops South #5

A more aggressive cousin in the south set: expect cliffs to influence the entry and keep your options honest. Plan for a bit of navigation at the top to bypass the first cliff band and find a clean way into the main chute. From there, it trends into steep, direct skiing down an avalanche path.

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Tally Ho Road Deactivated

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Cheops South #4

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South Cheops #6

The “most straightforward” of the Napoleon south lines only if you don’t drift off the plan . Staying skier’s left usually keeps things simple. If you leak right, you can end up dealing with awkward cliff management (sometimes literal swinging-around-a-tree energy).

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NRC

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Napoleon Spur Uptrack

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Cheops #1

It’s a tight, confined line below the alpine that rarely delivers “amazing skiing,” but it can be a useful direct drop if you’re coming off the east side of Cheops and want the simplest way down without a traverse.

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Cheops #1 uptrack

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Cheops #2

A serviceable tree lap that’s changed over time as control work and regrowth have shifted the spacing and feel of the forest. It can be fun when it fills in, but it’s not usually a must-do objective.

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Hourglass

A classic short tour that gets used a lot as a warm-up before bigger missions. Start from the Rogers Pass Discovery Center area and follow the ridge through open trees to the top. There are two entrances and they’re easy to mix up; the higher option is usually the best skiing. The top and bottom are the highlights, while the midsection can be a bit brushy.

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Hourglass

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West Hourglass

A couple of worthwhile lines, but the character has been trending bushier. If you wander, you can end up in dense trees or near cliffy pockets, so good line choice matters. In fat conditions it skis well; in thinner coverage it’s more work than fun. There’s also a steeper couloir on the west side for people who want a sharper version of the Hourglass vibe.

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Cheops North #1 (Chromosomes East)

Two related lines with different levels of commitment. The west option is the more reasonable of the two, and with effort it can be lapped by booting back up the chute. The east version is more complex and has seen at least partial descents via bootpack. There may be a workable entry off a small sub-peak above Hourglass, but don’t count on it without solid scouting. Both routes live under cornice exposure, so ridge travel and timing are key.

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Cheops North #1 (Chromosomes East)

Two related lines with different levels of commitment. The west option is the more reasonable of the two, and with effort it can be lapped by booting back up the chute. The east version is more complex and has seen at least partial descents via bootpack. There may be a workable entry off a small sub-peak above Hourglass, but don’t count on it without solid scouting. Both routes live under cornice exposure, so ridge travel and timing are key.

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Cheops North #2 (Shelf)

Cheops North #2 (Shelf) is a steep, committing north-side line on Mount Cheops in Glacier National Park, British Columbia. It drops from the west ridge into a shaded couloir system with a pronounced mid-line shelf feature, holding cold, faceted snow but also frequent wind loading from prevailing SW–W flow. Treat it as serious alpine terrain with overhead hazard from the upper walls and adjacent start zones. From the Cheops west ridge skin track, continue along the ridge until the terrain begins to narrow and you can look down into the obvious north-facing slot. The entrance is subtle and often slightly blind from above; many parties shuffle carefully along the ridge on skis, then transition on a small stance just back from the cornice. Expect cornice build-up along the lip and convex rolls immediately below the drop-in, with exposure to rocks and shallow cover early season. Treat the west-ridge ascent guidance as mandatory context. The entrance is hard to “see” until you’re right on it, and a deep snowpack is important for quality and safety. Historically, the first descent required a ~40 m rappel from the ridge into the couloir (originally off a slung boulder; later a bolted anchor was installed). Modern parties should not assume any fixed hardware is present or trustworthy; bring a full rappel kit and be prepared to build your own anchor if coverage or cornice structure makes a ski cut-in unreasonable. The line runs in a tight, shaded couloir with rock walls and a mid-line shelf that can collect deep storm snow over a hard bed surface. Common problems include wind slab over facets, sluff entrainment that can push you toward rock walls, and storm or persistent slabs stepping down from the upper start zones. This is not a good early-season objective; wait for a deep, well-bridged snowpack and stable avalanche hazard, and cross-check the Glacier National Park avalanche forecast before committing. Exit by following the fall line into the lower Cheops north fan, then trend out with the standard north-side runouts back toward the Connaught Creek uptrack.

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Cheops North #2

Same level of commitment as Cheops Shelf, just a bit shorter. You’ll need your route-finding dialed: the entrance is easy to botch, cornices can be a real problem, and it only comes together with a deep snowpack. One early party got away without a rappel, but don’t plan your day around that—bring rappel/escape gear if you’re committing.

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Cheops North #3 (East Couloir)

Big couloir day with real commitment. Expect a mandatory ~50 m rappel , plus some awkward, rocky “billy-goat” moves near the top before you’re truly locked in. The line starts tight, then opens into a wider face after a few hundred metres. Cornices are a constant—treat the entry like a problem to solve, not something you casually ski off the ridge.

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Cheops North #3 (Center Couloir)

Usually accessed by traversing from the East line. This one is highly conditions-dependent (wind + coverage decide whether it’s skiable vs. rocky), so think “variant,” not guaranteed classic.

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Cheops North #3 (West Couloir)

Often the spiciest. The obvious-looking line can hide rocky constrictions and thin spots up high. Once you’re through the upper pinch, the exit is generally straightforward—just don’t expect forgiveness at the top.

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Cheops North #4 (STS Couloir)

Cheops North #4, better known as the STS Couloir, drops the north face of Cheops Mountain above Connaught Creek in Glacier National Park. It is a serious, north-facing ski-mountaineering line in the Rogers Pass winter permit area, accessed via the standard Connaught Creek skin track toward Balu Pass and then up the Cheops west ridge to the corniced entrance high on the north face. The line is a tight, steep couloir in the upper section, often requiring a short rappel or careful cornice management to enter when the ridge is heavily overhung. Below the crux top, it opens into a wider, still-sustained couloir that runs all the way down into the Cheops North avalanche path above the Connaught drainage. Overhead exposure is continuous from large alpine start zones, and the path is a known major avalanche track with a tragic history, so parties typically wait for a well-bridged, stable snowpack and low hazard before committing. Approach from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking by following the Connaught Creek/Balu Pass uptrack, staying high on the north side of the valley to cross the Cheops slidepaths, then climbing to Balu Pass and up the Cheops west ridge to the STS entrance. Expect corniced ridge travel, potential wind slabs and a rocky, bony upper couloir in thinner years; if the ridge looks ugly from afar, it is usually worse up close. The run exits back into the Connaught drainage, where you rejoin the Balu Pass track for the glide back to the lot. This couloir is commonly skied only in periods of strong stability with good coverage, and is often combined with other Cheops north-face lines by fast, experienced parties. It lies inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System; you must hold a valid national park pass, a winter permit, and confirm the daily area opening status before heading out. See Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass avalanche and winter permit information at Parks Canada – Glacier National Park winter avalanche safety .

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Cheops North #5 (Higher Entrance)

Higher entrance, rarely skiable

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Cheops North #5 (North Bowl)

Cheops North #5 drops into the North Bowl on the north side of Mount Cheops in Rogers Pass, inside Glacier National Park. From the standard Cheops uptrack, continue along the north ridge until you can safely scope the line from just back of the corniced edge, then trend into the broader bowl rather than the tighter neighboring couloirs. The run is a longer, more moderate option than the adjacent tight couloirs, with a noticeable rollover near the top that deserves a proper look before you commit. Expect cornices along the ridge and watch for wind loading and cross-loading around the convexity; many parties dig a quick hand pit or small test slope near the start to confirm stability before dropping. Below the rollover the line opens into a wider north-facing bowl that usually holds cold, chalky snow and skis well for strong intermediate tourers who are comfortable with sustained steeps. Manage sluff carefully in the upper third and avoid being pulled into any terrain traps or gullies; trend toward your planned exit early rather than chasing fall line too low.

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Cheops North #6 (Niccy's Notch)

Niccy’s Notch (Cheops North #6) is a short, steep chute dropping from the Cheops west ridge into the Connaught Creek side of Rogers Pass. It sits just skier’s right of the Cheops North Bowl and left of the STS Couloir on the north face of Cheops, forming one of the “steep cragging” lines accessed from Balu Pass and the Cheops west ridge. From the Balu Pass skin track, gain the Cheops west ridge and follow the often wind-hammered crest toward the north face. The notch is obvious from the ridge—a tight break in the rock band—with the entrance only a few steps off the ridgeline. Parties commonly transition on the ridge, shuffle to the lip, and drop straight in. Expect a confined start that is frequently wind-loaded, with a convex roll right off the top. Skiers often cut the entrance aggressively to test the slab before committing. Below the crux, the line opens quickly into a wider fan that feeds into the lower Cheops north-face terrain and standard exit down Connaught Creek to the Discovery Centre. This route lies in Glacier National Park’s Winter Restricted Area system. Check the daily Winter Permit System map and avalanche bulletin before committing, and be aware of overhead hazard from the larger Cheops north-face paths, including STS. Full avalanche kit, strong partners, and conservative timing are mandatory here. More info: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park winter avalanche safety .

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Uptrack

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8812 Bowl West

8812 Bowl West is a popular ski-touring line accessed from the Balu Pass area in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. From the Balu Pass skin track, you break off toward the 8812 high point and trend into the broad west-facing bowl, using mellow trees and small openings to gain the alpine terrain above treeline. The line is a wide alpine bowl with generally open slopes and short treed sections near the bottom. It is commonly skied in mid-winter through spring when the snowpack is more settled and visibility is decent; flat light and storm days make navigation and hazard recognition harder in the upper bowl. Avalanche hazard is the main concern: the bowl is exposed to wind loading from prevailing westerlies, with cornices and cross-loaded features near the upper ridgeline, and there are terrain traps in the lower gullies draining back toward the Balu Pass approach. Give overhead slopes and cornices a wide berth, and avoid pushing into the gut of the bowl when hazard is elevated or when a weak layer is active in the regional forecast. Check the daily bulletin for the Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass) area on Avalanche Canada before committing to this route, and expect conditions to change quickly with new snow, wind, and warming. More regional avalanche and access information: Avalanche Canada – Glacier National Park / Rogers Pass .

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8812 Southeast Face

Southeast Face of 8812 drops from the upper alpine shoulder above 8812 Bowl in Glacier National Park, on the Bruins Ridge side of the Connaught Creek drainage. Most parties reach it via the standard Hospital Bowl / Bruins Ridge uptrack used for 8812 Bowl, then continue along the ridge toward the high point until they can scope the face and pick a clean entrance through the rock bands and rolls. The line is a steep, complex alpine face with multiple convexities, short cliff bands and a few narrow chokes. It skis best when the face is fully filled and smoothed in; thin coverage exposes rock ribs and forces you into committing micro‑terrain decisions. Expect overhead hazard from the upper face and flanking rock walls, and strong cross‑loading from prevailing winds around the 8812 col and ridge. Most skiers trend generally fall‑line with slight traverses to link the cleanest panels, regrouping only in obvious islands of safety between features. In poor visibility or with any uncertainty about bridging over the cliff bands, it’s common to bail to lower‑angle options back toward 8812 Bowl rather than force a way through. Conservative timing is key: give the slope time to settle after storms or wind events, and avoid it under strong solar input when the surface crusts or starts to shed. This face sits inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass winter permit system. Before heading out, check the daily area openings/closures and avalanche forecast, and carry the required winter permit if you plan to travel in restricted zones. Full details and current access rules are on the Parks Canada Glacier National Park page: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier .

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Cheops Southeast alternate

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Cheops Southeast alternate

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Bruins Ridge Uptrack

Bruins Ridge Uptrack is a common skin route on the south side of Connaught Creek in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park (BC). From the Connaught Creek trailhead you follow the main summer trail corridor up-valley, staying on the south side of the creek and below the avalanche paths that drop from Cheops until you are opposite Hospital Gully. From here, trend up and right toward Bruins Ridge, watching for overhead hazard from the Cheops couloirs and the two main slide paths that can reach the valley floor. A short, exposed traverse gains the ridge proper; this section can feel committing in firm or thin conditions and is not a good place to be with rising hazard or poor visibility. Once on Bruins Ridge, the uptrack follows mostly mellow, wind-affected ridge terrain toward Bruins Pass and the 8812 Bowl. The ridge narrows higher up, with short sections of exposure where you may switch from skinning to booting depending on snow and comfort with the drops on either side. The main avalanche concern is the lee side of the ridge and the gully you briefly drop into to bypass the gendarme, where storm snow and wind loading can create touchy slabs that are hard to assess from the ridge.

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8812 Bowl

8812 Bowl is a broad alpine cirque at the head of Connaught Creek above the standard Balu Pass uptrack in Glacier National Park. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, you follow the well-travelled Connaught Creek/Balu Pass skintrack through multiple avalanche paths on the north side of the valley until it opens into the large cirque beneath 8812 Peak, with the bowl directly ahead and Balu Pass up and right. Terrain is open alpine with long, uniform slopes and plenty of room to spread out. Parties commonly use islands of safety and travel one at a time through the main start zones, then trend skier’s left lower down to avoid the more broken terrain and awkward features in the runout. The bowl is a major avalanche path that runs full-path to the Connaught Creek trail, so treat the entire feature as overhead hazard for both skiers in the bowl and traffic on the main uptrack. This zone sits in complex avalanche terrain under Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. Check the daily avalanche bulletin and Winter Restricted Area status before leaving the lot, and be aware that loading from recent storms or wind can rapidly change conditions in the bowl and on the approach. On busy days expect significant skier traffic on the Balu Pass trail and manage your group spacing so you’re not stacked in the runout beneath other parties.

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8812 Southeast face

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Grizzly Mountain Uptrack

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Grizzly Couloir

Grizzly Couloir drops off the south side of Grizzly Mountain above the Connaught Creek drainage in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The line is a classic, high‑commitment couloir that you reach from the Grizzly Shoulder/Teddy Bear Trees zone, then along the Grizzly southwest ridge to the summit area before stepping into the couloir proper. Once parked at Rogers Pass, you skin up Connaught Creek toward Grizzly Shoulder, then trend toward Teddy Bear Trees and gain the ridge to access the entrance. The couloir is south‑facing, with frequent cross‑loading on skier’s right from prevailing winds. The upper section is relatively wide before funnelling into a rocky choke that forms a serious terrain trap; the choke is often thin and can be scraped to rock. Solar input is a major factor here for most of the ski season, with rapid warming and loose wet or slab problems possible on sunny days. This line sits squarely in large, consequential avalanche terrain typical of Rogers Pass, so treat it as an expert‑only objective with conservative timing and a solid overnight and day‑of stability picture. From the apron, you can continue down into Grizzly Bowl and then out to Connaught Creek. The exit choke below Grizzly Bowl is often rough and rocky; many parties cut hard skier’s right to rejoin Teddy Bear Trees for a cleaner run back toward the Connaught uptrack. A Winter Permit for the Rogers Pass backcountry is mandatory when the winter permit system is in effect, and daily avalanche forecasts and area closures from Parks Canada must be checked before committing to this route. Full glacier/avalanche kit, boot crampons and an ice axe are standard for most parties.

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Balu Pass Early Season Uptrack

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Hospital Bowl Uptrack

Video Peak Uptrack follows the standard Connaught Creek / Hospital Bowl approach from Rogers Pass Discovery Centre in Glacier National Park. From the parking, skin west on the Connaught drainage, then trend north-west on the established uptrack toward Hospital Bowl, passing below Hospital Knob and staying in the main gully and sparse trees used for the Ursus / Hospital uptracks. Terrain is a mix of low-angle gully, open glades and then broad alpine bowl leading toward the base of Video Peak’s SE face. The line is surrounded by large avalanche paths and classic planar start zones above, including the SE face itself, so treat the entire uptrack as overhead avalanche terrain with frequent wind loading and slab formation reported in Hospital Bowl and on the face. Ideal use is mid-winter when coverage in the Connaught drainage and Hospital Bowl is good and the alder is buried; early season reports mention rough travel and alder gymnastics on this approach. Expect heavy traffic on weekends and during high-pressure periods, with multiple existing skintracks and potentially tracked-out descents feeding back to this uptrack. Full details on permits, daily maps and seasonal changes are on Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass ski touring page: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Ursus Major North Face

Big, glaciated north face on Ursus Major in Glacier National Park, fully alpine and exposed. The line drops into complex cliffy terrain with limited safe islands, so route-finding and group spacing matter once you roll over the face. Expect overhead hazard from rock bands and hanging features above the main fall-line. Access is typically from the Rogers Pass side via the Connaught Creek drainage, using established ski touring approaches in the Ursus / Bruins / Video Peak zone to gain the upper glacier benches before committing to the north face. You’ll cross mellow-looking but crevassed glacier sections; standard glacier kit and travel protocols are mandatory even in mid-winter. The face is shaded and cold, holding winter snow well but also catching wind loading from prevailing southwest flow, so watch for stiff wind slabs near the roll and cross-loaded features around ribs and rock bands. Overhead cornices and the terrain trap of the lower fan and gullies make conservative timing and strong stability non‑negotiable.

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8812 North Face

8812 sits above Connaught Creek in Rogers Pass, within Glacier National Park, and is accessed via the standard Bruins Ridge / 8812 Bowl approach from the Balu Pass trail corridor. From the Discovery Centre parking, follow the Balu Pass trail into Connaught Creek, then branch toward Hospital Gully and Bruins Ridge, using the established uptrack that leads toward the 8812 col and bowl area. The north side offers glaciated alpine terrain with a more shaded aspect than the popular south-facing 8812 Bowl, and is typically used as a higher, colder option or as part of bigger linkups. Expect exposed sections along Bruins Ridge and on the final summit ramp, with wind-affected snow and potential for hard surfaces that can justify ski crampons or booting. Terrain is firmly in the advanced / complex category; route-finding and group management matter once you leave the main bowl. A scenic, glacier-style summit tour that often becomes the access backbone for bigger plans. The final bit to the top can feel short, steep, and more exposed than the rest. Solid stand-alone day in stable conditions, or a gateway into steeper south-side lines.

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8812 Uptrack

Expect cold, preserved snow and frequent wind effect: the north side is lee to prevailing SW winds, so watch for stiff wind slabs over weaker facets, especially just below the ridge and around convex rolls. The pitch rolls over quickly; manage it with short, well-spaced pitches and use small ribs or rock outcrops as islands of safety. Overhead hazard from the upper face is real—avoid grouping under cornices or below obvious start zones.

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Video Peak North

Video Peak’s north side drops into the Ursus Creek drainage in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. From the Connaught side you skin via the standard Hospital Bowl / Ursus access, then push over the north side from near the summit ridge into bigger, more remote terrain above Ursus Creek. Once you leave the Connaught side you are committed to a different exit, so have your line and return plan dialed before you roll over the edge. The upper start zones are steep alpine rolls with cornice influence and exposure to large avalanche paths that run clean to the valley. Expect cross-loading and wind slab on the convexities, with pockets staying cold and faceted well into spring thanks to the northerly aspect and shaded walls of the Ursus Creek side. Overhead hazard from cornices and storm slabs is the main concern; manage your group well back from the lip while you assess. Lower down, the line funnels into terrain traps above Ursus Creek—gullies, benches and small timbered ribs that can stack debris deep. Several finish options trend either skier’s left or right toward established uptracks and exits in the Ursus Creek corridor; none are trivial in poor visibility or high hazard. Strong navigation skills, a solid read on the avalanche forecast, and enough margin in the snowpack for full-path avalanches are mandatory here. This is advanced ski-mountaineering terrain in a highway-controlled but otherwise wild avalanche corridor. Check the daily bulletin and any Glacier National Park winter access restrictions before heading out, and carry full rescue gear plus repair kit and communication. For current conditions, closures and winter permit details, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park page: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier .

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Bruins Glacier Uptrack

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Ursus Minor West Face

West-facing alpine face on Ursus Minor above Connaught Creek in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. Terrain is complex: cliff bands, multiple gullies, and large cornices along the upper ridge. Line choice and micro-route-finding matter, especially in flat light or during storm cycles. From the Connaught Creek uptrack toward Ursus Minor Basin, branch toward the west face once you’re above the main valley floor and have a clean view of your intended gully. Many options cliff out or tuck you under overhead hazard; most parties scope from below and on the skintrack, then commit only if they can trace a continuous fall-line with clean runout. Snowpack is heavily influenced by sun and wind: afternoon solar on the west aspect, cross-loading from prevailing SW–W winds, and regular cornice growth along the ridge. Watch for wind slabs over buried crusts, pockets above cliff bands, and terrain traps in the lower gullies. This is advanced ski-mountaineering terrain for solid partners who are comfortable turning around when stability or visibility aren’t close to perfect. The face sits inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass winter permit system. Check daily Winter Permit Area status, seasonal closures, and avalanche forecast before committing, and carry the required permit and map. Full details: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park backcountry .

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Ursus Minor West Face Alternate entrance

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Cross loaded convexity

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Video Peak

Video Peak sits above the Connaught Creek drainage in Glacier National Park, accessed from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre via the Connaught/Balu Pass uptrack and then the Hospital Bowl/Hospital Gullies skintrack. From the valley, most parties trend up the north side of Connaught Creek to avoid major slide paths off Cheops, then cut left into the Hospital Bowl drainage and on toward the broad SE face and NE ridge of Video Peak. Expect an obvious, well-used uptrack in most conditions; early season it can be brushy and awkward through the lower forest and gullies. The classic line is the SE face: a big planar alpine slope above Hospital Bowl that skis best when it has filled in and smoothed over the underlying rock bands. The upper face is open alpine terrain with no islands of safety; it is a prime avalanche start zone and often hosts stiff wind slabs and cornices along the summit ridge. Careful snowpack assessment, wide spacing, and avoidance of convex rolls are key. When the SE face is tracked, many parties drop a slightly more southerly aspect or link to 8812 Bowl via Bruins Ridge for additional laps. Below the alpine, you rejoin Hospital Bowl and then one of the Hospital Gullies back to Connaught Creek, finishing with a fast, low-angle runout along the valley skintrack to the Discovery Centre. The gullies funnel overhead hazard from the surrounding walls and can carry large debris; choose your line conservatively in elevated hazard and be wary of terrain traps. This whole zone lies inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System, so you must hold a valid winter permit and confirm that the Connaught/Hospital Bowl/Video Peak areas are open before heading out. Ideal timing is mid-winter to early spring when coverage is deep and the face is well filled, with either a stable storm slab regime for powder or a solid overnight freeze for corn on the solar aspects. The tour is popular and often busy after storms, which helps with an established track but also means managing other groups above and below you on the face and in the gullies. Full avalanche kit, strong route-finding in complex alpine terrain, and current Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada bulletins are mandatory. For official access and permit details see Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Hospital Bowl

Hospital Bowl is a popular ski touring zone in Glacier National Park near Rogers Pass, offering mellow, open alpine and treeline terrain that is often used as an early-season objective and for lower-consequence laps compared to the bigger faces around it. Parties commonly link Hospital Gully and the bowl above for repeated runs, using the broad basin to find sheltered snow when visibility is poor higher on the pass. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, follow the signed winter uptrack toward Balu Pass, then branch toward Hospital Gully and trend climber’s right into the bowl. The approach is straightforward but passes through dense trees and small gullies; expect established skin tracks most days in mid-winter but be ready to navigate if they are blown in or absent. The bowl offers mostly low to moderate-angle skiing with options to step into slightly steeper rolls near the alpine edge. Terrain is a mix of open glades and small features that can cross-load in wind events, with convexities and short gullies that can act as terrain traps. Overhead hazard from surrounding start zones increases with storm or wind loading, so many groups keep to conservative lines and avoid pushing onto steeper unsupported features when the avalanche hazard is elevated. Hospital Bowl sits inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass winter permit system. Before touring, you must check daily area openings and closures and carry a valid winter permit when required; artillery control and temporary closures are routine in this corridor. Always confirm the Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin and current road/closure info before committing to the zone, and be prepared to adjust plans if your intended line falls inside a closed artillery path. More info on access, permits, and avalanche control in Rogers Pass: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Ursus Uptrack

Ursus Uptrack is the standard skintrack from Connaught Creek up toward the Ursus Minor Trees shoulder in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass). From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking you follow the Connaught Creek corridor, then branch north toward the Ursus side of the valley, picking up the well-travelled uptrack that climbs through dense forest toward the SE shoulder of Ursus Minor and the treed glades above. The route weaves through mature forest and small openings, generally staying on or near low-angle ribs to avoid gullies that act as terrain traps. Expect tight switchbacks in places and short, punchy steeper steps as you gain the shoulder; in storm cycles this track is usually in, but can be rutted and slick from traffic. Above treeline the uptrack often trends toward more exposed, wind-affected slopes on the shoulder, where wind slab and scoured sections are common. Major hazards on the approach include overhead avalanche paths that cross the Connaught drainage and loaded start zones above the uptrack as you near treeline. This is serious avalanche terrain; daily Avalanche Canada forecasts for Glacier National Park and Parks Canada access/closure notices must be checked and respected. Ideal use is mid-winter to early spring during stable periods, when the established track offers a relatively efficient, sheltered ascent to access laps in Ursus Minor Trees or higher alpine objectives. Glacier National Park uses a Winter Permit System to manage avalanche control and access; some slopes above the Ursus Uptrack may be closed for artillery control or other safety reasons on any given day. Full avalanche kit, strong route-finding skills, and conservative terrain choices are mandatory here, even when following an existing skintrack. For current regulations and seasonal details, see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park backcountry skiing .

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Hospital Gullies

Hospital Gullies sit on the north side of the Connaught Creek ski touring corridor in Glacier National Park, dropping out of Hospital Bowl beneath Video Peak into defined avalanche paths that funnel back toward the main uptrack. You reach them from the Connaught Creek skintrack that leaves the Rogers Pass parking and trends west up-valley, passing Grizzly Shoulder, Teddy Bear Trees, Frequent Flyer Gully and other slide paths before you hit the open fan and trees below Hospital Gully and Hospital Knob. The lines themselves are short, steep gullies with overhead start zones and corniced ridgelines above. They collect transported snow and can be heavily wind-loaded, especially after storms with southwest through west winds. Expect confined terrain with defined sidewalls, convex rolls and terrain-trap runouts that can stack debris deep in bigger avalanche cycles. Cornice fall from the ridges above has triggered large avalanches here in the past, so treat the overhead hazard as seriously as the snow under your feet. These runs ski best in deep, stable conditions once a solid base has filled in the creek features and small cliffs; thin coverage exposes rocks, creek holes and old debris, and the gullies can get quickly hammered by traffic when the Connaught zone is busy. Use the established Connaught uptrack for efficient laps, but step off it to transition and regroup out of the main paths. Strong group spacing, one-at-a-time travel through the gut, and conservative terrain choices when wind slabs or persistent weak layers are in play are key to keeping Hospital Gullies fun instead of consequential. Hospital Gullies lie inside Glacier National Park’s winter permit system. Check the daily Rogers Pass bulletin, avalanche forecast and Winter Restricted Area maps before heading out, and make sure everyone in the group has the required winter permit and understands the Connaught Creek closures and artillery control zones. When the Hospital paths or adjacent start zones are closed for avalanche control, respect the closures and pick another objective in the corridor. For current access rules, winter permits and daily avalanche control closures, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park information: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Hospital Gullies

Hospital Gullies sit on the north side of the Connaught Creek ski touring corridor in Glacier National Park, dropping out of Hospital Bowl beneath Video Peak into defined avalanche paths that funnel back toward the main uptrack. You reach them from the Connaught Creek skintrack that leaves the Rogers Pass parking and trends west up-valley, passing Grizzly Shoulder, Teddy Bear Trees, Frequent Flyer Gully and other slide paths before you hit the open fan and trees below Hospital Gully and Hospital Knob. The lines themselves are short, steep gullies with overhead start zones and corniced ridgelines above. They collect transported snow and can be heavily wind-loaded, especially after storms with southwest through west winds. Expect confined terrain with defined sidewalls, convex rolls and terrain-trap runouts that can stack debris deep in bigger avalanche cycles. Cornice fall from the ridges above has triggered large avalanches here in the past, so treat the overhead hazard as seriously as the snow under your feet. These runs ski best in deep, stable conditions once a solid base has filled in the creek features and small cliffs; thin coverage exposes rocks, creek holes and old debris, and the gullies can get quickly hammered by traffic when the Connaught zone is busy. Use the established Connaught uptrack for efficient laps, but step off it to transition and regroup out of the main paths. Strong group spacing, one-at-a-time travel through the gut, and conservative terrain choices when wind slabs or persistent weak layers are in play are key to keeping Hospital Gullies fun instead of consequential. Hospital Gullies lie inside Glacier National Park’s winter permit system. Check the daily Rogers Pass bulletin, avalanche forecast and Winter Restricted Area maps before heading out, and make sure everyone in the group has the required winter permit and understands the Connaught Creek closures and artillery control zones. When the Hospital paths or adjacent start zones are closed for avalanche control, respect the closures and pick another objective in the corridor. For current access rules, winter permits and daily avalanche control closures, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park information: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Cliff band

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Hospital Gullies

Hospital Gullies sit on the north side of the Connaught Creek ski touring corridor in Glacier National Park, dropping out of Hospital Bowl beneath Video Peak into defined avalanche paths that funnel back toward the main uptrack. You reach them from the Connaught Creek skintrack that leaves the Rogers Pass parking and trends west up-valley, passing Grizzly Shoulder, Teddy Bear Trees, Frequent Flyer Gully and other slide paths before you hit the open fan and trees below Hospital Gully and Hospital Knob. The lines themselves are short, steep gullies with overhead start zones and corniced ridgelines above. They collect transported snow and can be heavily wind-loaded, especially after storms with southwest through west winds. Expect confined terrain with defined sidewalls, convex rolls and terrain-trap runouts that can stack debris deep in bigger avalanche cycles. Cornice fall from the ridges above has triggered large avalanches here in the past, so treat the overhead hazard as seriously as the snow under your feet. These runs ski best in deep, stable conditions once a solid base has filled in the creek features and small cliffs; thin coverage exposes rocks, creek holes and old debris, and the gullies can get quickly hammered by traffic when the Connaught zone is busy. Use the established Connaught uptrack for efficient laps, but step off it to transition and regroup out of the main paths. Strong group spacing, one-at-a-time travel through the gut, and conservative terrain choices when wind slabs or persistent weak layers are in play are key to keeping Hospital Gullies fun instead of consequential. Hospital Gullies lie inside Glacier National Park’s winter permit system. Check the daily Rogers Pass bulletin, avalanche forecast and Winter Restricted Area maps before heading out, and make sure everyone in the group has the required winter permit and understands the Connaught Creek closures and artillery control zones. When the Hospital paths or adjacent start zones are closed for avalanche control, respect the closures and pick another objective in the corridor. For current access rules, winter permits and daily avalanche control closures, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park information: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees is a short, low-angle glade line in the Connaught Creek corridor at Rogers Pass, sitting just below the open slopes of Hospital Bowl and Video Peak. It’s essentially the band of small subalpine firs that marks the transition from the steeper alpine bowl above to the denser valley forest below, giving you a mellow tree option when visibility or hazard make the bigger lines a bad idea. From the Connaught Creek parking, follow the standard Hospital Bowl / Video Peak uptrack into the valley and up through the forest toward the SE shoulder of Ursus Minor and the base of Hospital Bowl. As you break out into the more open "Christmas tree"–sized glades below the main bowl, you’re in the zone; pick your line through the spaced trees, staying clear of any obvious gullies that could act as terrain traps and avoiding pushing too far toward the larger slide paths that feed into Connaught Creek. This area is popular on storm days because the trees give definition and the terrain is relatively forgiving, but you’re still in full avalanche terrain with overhead hazard from Hospital Bowl and nearby slide paths. Watch for wind loading from prevailing SW–W winds, manage your exposure to the bigger alpine start zones above, and pay attention to Parks Canada avalanche bulletins and any seasonal closures or permit requirements for the Connaught drainage. Rogers Pass ski touring uses a mandatory winter permit system tied to daily avalanche control closures. Before heading for Christmas Trees, check the current Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin and Winter Permit System maps, and confirm which Connaught Valley areas are open. Full details and daily updates are posted by Parks Canada at https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier .

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Ursus Gully

Ursus Gully drops out of Hospital Bowl on the south side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, within the Parks Canada winter permit system. Treat it as a serious terrain trap: the line funnels into a tight choke with significant overhead hazard from the bowl and surrounding start zones. Only consider it with a deep, well-settled snowpack and a very low avalanche hazard rating, and avoid it entirely during or after storm cycles, wind events, or warming. From the Hospital Bowl area, trend skier’s left into the obvious gully feature. Expect confined walls, cross-loaded pockets and debris from natural. The exit through the choke is often thin, rocky and messy; many parties instead choose cleaner exits from Hospital Bowl to avoid being forced through the gully. If you do commit, manage spacing, regroup out of the fall line, and have a clear plan for what you’ll do if the choke is not passable.

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Ursus Ridge

Ursus Ridge sits above the Ursus Creek side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, in the Hermit Range of the Selkirk Mountains. The line follows the broad south to southeast-facing ridge trending down toward the Ursus Creek drainage, eventually dropping into the well-known Ursus trees below. Expect classic Rogers Pass subalpine terrain transitioning into forest lower down. From the Rogers Pass corridor, skin up through the Ursus trees toward the open ridge, picking a line that avoids obvious gullies and overhead avalanche paths coming off the Hermit Range peaks. Once on the ridge, follow its mellow undulations toward the southeast face, staying on or just off the crest to manage exposure to cross-loading and cornice hazard that can build along the leeward side. This tour is usually skied mid-winter through early spring when the Rogers Pass snowpack is well-settled and stability allows travel near ridge features. Watch for wind slab on the lee side of the ridge, cornices along the crest, and terrain traps in the lower forest where small features can collect debris. Standard Glacier National Park avalanche control closures apply around the highway corridor, so always confirm daily area openings before heading out. You are travelling inside Glacier National Park, so Parks Canada regulations apply: no dogs in winter restricted areas, no camping outside designated zones, and a valid national park pass is required. Daily avalanche bulletins and highway avalanche control information are published by Parks Canada; check these along with the latest map of winter restricted and prohibited areas before committing to the line. More info: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Ursus Trees

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Ursus Trees

Short, gladed shot on the Ursus side that skis well when coverage is still thin elsewhere. Tight trees with a consistent fall line make for quick laps and easy navigation, but it gets tracked fast once a few parties cycle through. From the usual Ursus access, skin into the trees and follow the fall line down through the glades, avoiding any steeper rollovers that start to pull you toward creek drainages. The line is straightforward to re-ascend: pick a skintrack just off your descent path and climb back through the same forest band for another lap. Watch for early-season hazards buried just under the surface in the tighter trees, and be wary of small terrain traps where short pitches funnel into depressions. Overhead hazard is limited compared to the bigger alpine bowls nearby, but wind-loading can still stiffen pockets on convex rolls after storms.

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Dispatcher Bowl

Dispatcher Bowl is a mellow alpine bowl with a clear catcher's mitt feel for overhead hazard. You’re skiing under bigger start zones, so treat the whole line as runout terrain and read the hangfire above before you drop. The bowl itself skis smooth and open, then funnels into a lower choke often called the “waterfall” feature. This constriction needs deep coverage; thin snow can leave flowing water and blue ice exposed and turn the exit into a no-go. If you can’t clearly see that the choke is filled and bonded, pull the plug and traverse out earlier. Expect typical alpine wind effect: cross-loading on ribs, pockets of wind slab over facets in the mid-bowl, and a stiffened apron where debris naturally fans out. Treat the choke as a terrain trap—small avalanches from above can pile deep here. Conservative spacing and regrouping well clear of the fall line keeps everyone out of the firing zone. Best in stable mid-winter or early spring conditions when coverage is fat and overhead hazard has calmed down. Avoid warm spikes or rain events that can re-open the waterfall and glaze the choke. For current conditions and avalanche problems, check the regional avalanche bulletin before committing to the line.

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Ursus Minor Southeast Face

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Ursus Minor Alternate Entrance

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Bearpol Col

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VCR Bowl

VCR Bowl is a backcountry ski zone in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass), British Columbia, sitting above the Connaught Creek side of the highway corridor in classic Rogers Pass avalanche terrain. Expect a broad alpine bowl with short connecting ribs and gullies, rolling features, and exposure to large overhead start zones typical of the Connaught drainage. You are fully in Parks Canada’s Winter Permit System area here, with artillery control work on surrounding paths and strict daily open/closed status. From the Rogers Pass parking corridor, you skin up through mature forest and glades toward treeline benches, then break into open alpine terrain leading into the main VCR Bowl. The approach is typical Selkirk skinning: tight trees and small creek features low, then more efficient angles once you gain the established uptrack spine. Expect to share the skintrack with other parties on storm and high-pressure days; give space under overhead paths and avoid stopping in obvious terrain traps. The bowl offers a mix of moderate to steeper alpine pitches with convex rolls and cross-loaded features. Wind effect is common, with slabs forming under ridgelines and in the mid-bowl where the terrain rolls over. The run funnels toward terrain traps in the lower features, so plan safe islands of refuge and conservative regroup spots. Overhead hazard from adjacent faces and corniced ridges is a key concern during and after storms or rapid warming. Access is subject to the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. A valid Winter Permit and Winter Parking Permit are required any time you leave the highway or parking areas, and you must confirm that the specific zone covering VCR Bowl is open for public access that day. Daily area status, closures for artillery control, and current rules are posted by Parks Canada; if the zone is closed, there is no legal access, regardless of conditions. Travel here assumes full avalanche kit, ability to interpret the Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin, and comfort managing large, complex paths. Check the latest Parks Canada winter access information and avalanche forecast before committing to VCR Bowl, and build your plan around conservative terrain choices when hazard is elevated. For current permit details and daily area openings, see Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Video downclimb

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Bruins Pass

More transit hub than destination. The east side can load hard in wind, but in the right window it offers a fun descent into Hospital Bowl terrain. Treat it as a connector with bonus turns.

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Teddy Bear Trees #1

Teddy Bear Trees sits on the shoulder beside the Grizzly slidepath in Rogers Pass, inside Glacier National Park. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, skin up the Connaught Creek drainage to the Grizzly Fan, then trend climber’s left into the steep, densely switchbacked ascent track through the trees that gains the lower south ridge of Grizzly Mountain. This is a quick-hit lap zone rather than a full summit tour, often used when higher alpine terrain or Winter Restricted Areas are closed. Despite the name, this is serious avalanche terrain. The main open pitches are trees but exposed to the Grizzly slidepath, which runs frequently, and to overhead hazard from steeper start zones above. Parks Canada documents past skier-triggered avalanches here, including a 2015 incident where a party was caught after following an existing uptrack higher than planned. Treat any existing skintrack with suspicion, manage exposure to the slidepath, and avoid being in or under the obvious terrain trap features low on the slope during elevated hazard.

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Teddy Bear Trees #2

Teddy Bear Trees #2 is a less-travelled variation beside the main Teddy Bear Trees line on the shoulder of the Grizzly slidepath in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park (BC). Expect more open gullies through mature forest, with short clearings that tie back into the main shoulder.  From the Rogers Pass Centre / Summit Station parking, skin up the Connaught Creek drainage toward the Grizzly fan, then trend climber’s left with the established uptrack that switchbacks steeply through dense timber to gain the lower south ridge of Grizzly Mountain. From the shoulder, drop into the less-used gullies of Teddy Bear Trees #2, working back toward the main shoulder to avoid being pulled too far into the Grizzly path proper. Most parties treat this as a quick lap zone rather than a full summit tour, linking multiple laps while higher alpine terrain or Winter Restricted Areas are closed. Despite the friendly name and treed character, this is serious avalanche terrain. The open pitches are exposed to the Grizzly slidepath and to overhead start zones above, with a pronounced terrain trap low on the slope where debris can pile deeply. Parks Canada notes past skier-triggered avalanches in this area, including incidents where parties were caught after following an existing uptrack higher than planned. Treat any skintrack with suspicion, minimize time in or under the obvious gully features, and avoid committing to the line during periods of elevated hazard or active storm loading.

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Frequent Flyer

Frequent Flyer is a steep, confined avalanche path dropping into Connaught Creek in Glacier National Park, above the popular Balu Pass uptrack. It is a high-frequency slide path where natural avalanches are common, and anything that releases while you are skiing is likely to run full track into the skintrack and travel corridor below with little to no warning. This line is not recommended as a standard ski run. If you choose to ski it anyway, treat it as serious overhead hazard management: very small groups, tight spacing, one-at-a-time exposure, and clear communication with any parties on the Balu Pass trail. Assume rapid wind-loading and changing conditions; if there is any sign of instability in the path or adjacent start zones, give it a wide berth and use one of the many safer options in Connaught Creek instead.

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Frequent Flyer Avalanche Path

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Ursus Minor North Face

Semi-remote, with steep rolls and cliffy terrain management. This isn’t a “poke around” descent—stability needs to be solid before you commit. Exits commonly link toward Little Sifton / Grizzly terrain, and it’s often quieter than the front-side classics.

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Ursus North Exit

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Grizzly Bowl

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Grizzly Should Uptrack

From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking you skin up Connaught Creek on the north bank, then climb the east side of the Grizzly slidepath into mature forest on the shoulder. Expect a well-established highway most days, with multiple parallel tracks and plenty of guided groups using the same line. The uptrack winds through dense forest on a south-facing rib, with short steeper pitches and awkward kick turns where people have pushed the angle. After traffic and warm temps, the track can turn into a rutted, side-slipping mess that’s hard on skins and ankles. Small avalanches are common in the surrounding treed slopes and slidepaths, and there is significant overhead hazard from the Grizzly slidepath and higher alpine terrain, so manage regroup spots carefully and avoid lingering under open paths. This whole zone sits inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Restricted Area system and is rated at least Challenging avalanche terrain. You must hold a valid winter permit and check daily WRA status before heading up the shoulder; wardens frequently check permits near the Connaught drainage access. Time your laps around solar input on the south-facing slopes, watching for rapid warming, pinwheeling and storm slabs on convex rolls near treeline.

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Little Sifton Uptrack

The line works through dense trees, small avalanche paths and short steeper rolls before breaking into more open subalpine terrain below a cliff band that guards the ridge. Most parties stay below the cliffs and traverse north along their base to reach gentler, rolling alpine slopes leading toward the saddle northeast of Little Sifton. This uptrack is commonly used as the first half of the Little Sifton Traverse and as access to nearby Grizzly Shoulder laps. This route lies inside a Winter Restricted Area under the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must have a valid Winter Permit, Winter Parking Permit, national park pass, and photo ID, and the area must be open on the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map before you start up. Expect complex avalanche terrain overhead, including wind loading near the alpine, cornices along the Little Sifton ridge, and large start zones feeding into the Connaught drainage; parties should be comfortable with route-finding and group management in challenging avalanche terrain.

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Grizzly Shoulder

Grizzly Shoulder is a classic tree-skiing tour above Connaught Creek in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park. The line climbs south-facing forested slopes toward the broad shoulder that leads toward Little Sifton, offering sheltered turns when visibility is poor and storm snow is stacking up. Despite the trees, this is rated ATES Challenging terrain, and small avalanches are common on the steeper rolls. From the Rogers Pass area parking, skin up the Connaught Creek drainage on an established uptrack used for multiple objectives, then branch toward Grizzly Shoulder as the track leaves the valley floor and begins climbing through mature forest. Expect a well-used but often steep skintrack that weaves between glades and denser trees, with options to stop short on lower benches or continue higher toward the open shoulder if stability and visibility allow. Hazards include small but consequential avalanches in the trees, tree wells, and terrain rolls that can act as terrain traps. Overhead alpine terrain comes into play if you push higher toward the open shoulder, so most parties keep to the treed bands in elevated hazard. The south aspect can crust quickly after sun or warming, so this zone shines during or right after storm cycles with good tree visibility and a supportive base. Grizzly Shoulder lies inside the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. A valid Winter Permit, Winter Parking Permit, and national park pass are required to leave the highway corridor, and you must confirm that the relevant Winter Restricted/Unrestricted areas and parking are open on the daily Parks Canada map before touring. Full permit details and current area status are on Parks Canada’s site: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Puff Daddy Center Gully

Tight, steep, and consequential. Best when the snowpack is deep enough to smooth the walls and cover hazards. Limited escape options and typical overhead/cornice concerns depending on entry—small group, conservative spacing.

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Rogers Run

Rogers Run drops from Grizzly Shoulder into a long fall-line shot of alpine, sparse trees, avalanche paths and big pillow fields. It sits above the Trans-Canada corridor in Glacier National Park, inside the Rogers Pass winter permit system, so you’re touring under active artillery control work and complex avalanche terrain rather than a mellow roadside lap. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, follow the Grizzly Shoulder uptrack through forest to treeline, then trend toward the obvious open slopes that mark the top of the run. On the descent, stay disciplined on the main fall line and resist drifting skier’s left into the cliffed gully system; that zone turns into stacked pillows later in the season but is a full-on terrain trap when coverage is thin or stability is suspect. Expect a mix of wind-affected alpine snow up high and more sheltered storm snow in the mid-line trees, with frequent cross-loading and wind slab issues after storms or outflow events. The lower run funnels toward creek features and small terrain traps; in lean years you may want to cut out early toward the highway rather than force a sketchy creek crossing in the flats. Rogers Run is popular and often busy with guided groups and AST courses, which helps with a set skintrack but also means you should plan for early starts, tight group management and conservative spacing on the bigger avalanche paths. Navigation in the trees is less obvious than the map suggests, and small errors can put you on top of the wrong roll or into the wrong drainage. Access, permits and daily area openings are controlled by Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System; check the current maps, closures and avalanche forecast before committing to the line, and carry the required permits and proof of registration. Full details are on Parks Canada’s site: Parks Canada – Rogers Pass winter backcountry access .

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Puff Daddy #1

Puff Daddy is a complex pillow-and-gully face on the Grizzly Shoulder above Rogers Pass, dropping back to the Trans‑Canada Highway. The line sits on the east arm of Grizzly Mountain and is typically skied after touring up Grizzly Shoulder from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, then traversing into the face from near treeline rather than dropping from the very top. Expect convoluted gullies, convex rolls, cliff bands and waterfalls where precise line choice matters; many parties end up in unsupported slopes or cliffed-out terrain if they don’t stay on a known line. The main skiing is in a large, southeast-tilted bowl that feeds several distinct gullies. Common entries aim for a mid‑elevation gully that gives sustained fall‑line turns with small trees for anchoring on the margins, then tighten into a deeper gully with pillows and short crux steps. Sluff management is a real concern in the steeper sections, and it’s easy to get pulled into bigger cliffs or dense pillow fields if you blindly follow tracks.  Approach from the Discovery Centre on the Connaught Creek winter trail, then up Grizzly Shoulder on the standard uptrack until the trees thin and the shoulder opens. From near treeline, traverse across the lower Puff Daddy bowl to your chosen entrance, staying aware of overhead hazard from the steeper, more unsupported start zones above. On the descent, trend carefully toward the main avalanche path that runs to the highway; if you drift too far into the wrong channel you’ll meet larger cliffs and awkward exits. Finish at the road and shuffle or sidestep back along the highway to the Discovery Centre. This is serious, high‑consequence terrain despite the short approach. The face is riddled with gullies, convexities, pillows and cliff bands, and stability problems here have included persistent weak layers and storm slabs in past seasons. Treat Puff Daddy as a full‑value Rogers Pass objective: conservative terrain choices, tight group management in the start zones and gullies, and a clear exit plan low down so you don’t end your day bushwhacking above the highway. 

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Late season uptrack sneak

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Puff Daddy #2

Puff Daddy is a complex pillow-and-gully face on the Grizzly Shoulder above Rogers Pass, dropping back to the Trans‑Canada Highway. The line sits on the east arm of Grizzly Mountain and is typically skied after touring up Grizzly Shoulder from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, then traversing into the face from near treeline rather than dropping from the very top. Expect convoluted gullies, convex rolls, cliff bands and waterfalls where precise line choice matters; many parties end up in unsupported slopes or cliffed-out terrain if they don’t stay on a known line. The main skiing is in a large, southeast-tilted bowl that feeds several distinct gullies. Common entries aim for a mid‑elevation gully that gives sustained fall‑line turns with small trees for anchoring on the margins, then tighten into a deeper gully with pillows and short crux steps. Sluff management is a real concern in the steeper sections, and it’s easy to get pulled into bigger cliffs or dense pillow fields if you blindly follow tracks.  Approach from the Discovery Centre on the Connaught Creek winter trail, then up Grizzly Shoulder on the standard uptrack until the trees thin and the shoulder opens. From near treeline, traverse across the lower Puff Daddy bowl to your chosen entrance, staying aware of overhead hazard from the steeper, more unsupported start zones above. On the descent, trend carefully toward the main avalanche path that runs to the highway; if you drift too far into the wrong channel you’ll meet larger cliffs and awkward exits. Finish at the road and shuffle or sidestep back along the highway to the Discovery Centre. This is serious, high‑consequence terrain despite the short approach. The face is riddled with gullies, convexities, pillows and cliff bands, and stability problems here have included persistent weak layers and storm slabs in past seasons. Treat Puff Daddy as a full‑value Rogers Pass objective: conservative terrain choices, tight group management in the start zones and gullies, and a clear exit plan low down so you don’t end your day bushwhacking above the highway. 

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Little Sifton South Face

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Sifton Ridge Uptrack

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Sifton Uptrack

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Sifton Summit Traverse

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Sifton South Face (low entrance)

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Sifton South Face

South face of Mount Sifton in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. Big, committing alpine face with exposure over cliff bands and a serious fall line. The line drops from the upper south ridge toward the Sifton Glacier, with a smaller couloir option just west that has seen descents. Terrain is mostly open alpine panels with some rock ribs and thin spots, especially on skier’s right. Access is typically from Hermit parking, following the Hermit Meadows trail into the basin, then continuing onto the Sifton Glacier and up toward the northwest ridge to gain the south summit ridge. Expect glacier travel with crevasse hazard and complex route-finding around seracs and rolls. The south face itself hangs above large cliff bands; you need a clean, well‑filled snowpack and a clear exit line back to the glacier. This is generally a spring objective once the snowpack has bridged rocks and the face has filled in; mid‑winter it can be too thin and peppered. Watch for cornices along the summit ridge, wind slab from shifting S/SW and N/NE winds, and overhead hazard from the face itself. The terrain sits in a Winter Restricted Area under the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System, so you must confirm daily area status and carry the appropriate permit before heading in. Serious ski‑mountaineering line: strong glacier skills, steep‑skiing competence, and tight group management are mandatory. A conservative play is to scope the face from Hermit Meadows and the Sifton Glacier, then decide between the main south face and the smaller west couloir depending on coverage and stability. Full avalanche kit plus glacier gear, boot crampons, and an ice axe are standard. More info on permits and seasonal closures: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park ski touring .

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Grizzly Bowl East

Shorter, steeper shots near common top-out areas. Often inconsistent: windward bits can be thin and rocky, while sheltered pockets can surprise you. Think opportunistic lines, not guaranteed gold.

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Little Sifton Traverse

Classic Rogers Pass alpine tour linking Grizzly Shoulder to the Little Sifton col in Glacier National Park. From the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre parking, skin up the Grizzly Shoulder uptrack through mature forest and small slidepaths, then break into open alpine benches trending east toward the obvious col between Little Sifton and Mount Sifton. Expect mostly mellow alpine rolls with short, steeper steps and frequent wind effect from prevailing southwest winds. The traverse usually continues over the col and down a sheltered northeast-facing slope toward the Sifton Glacier and Grizzly slidepath, with options to trend skier’s right to rejoin Grizzly West/Puff Daddy glades for the exit back toward the highway. Cornices often build along the ridge and at the col, and small convex rollovers can hide wind slabs; give the cornice lips and the steep east side of Grizzly Shoulder a wide berth. This route lies in a Winter Restricted Area under the Glacier National Park winter permit system, so you must check daily WRA status and carry the required permit before heading out. More info: Parks Canada winter backcountry access .

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Grizzly Path

Grizzly Path is a ski line that drops through increasingly confined terrain, trending into a tight gully in the lower third. Once you are committed to the gully, options to escape are limited and the walls and creek-bed features start to funnel you. Most parties avoid the full gully finish by breaking skier’s right toward the Puff Daddy exit, which offers a cleaner way out. Staying in the fall line gives a more direct finish but drops you into a narrow creek-bed feature that skis much harder, especially in firm or shallow conditions. Because the channel shape magnifies hazards, this line needs deep, well-settled snow to be reasonable. Expect tight maneuvering, potential for debris and buried obstacles in the creek-bed, and strong terrain-trap characteristics low down. Treat the lower gully as serious consequential terrain, not just a casual runout.

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Sifton North Face

Big, glaciated north face on Mount Sifton in Glacier National Park, sitting above the Rogers Glacier in the Hermit Range. You’re in full alpine terrain here, with exposure to cliffs, seracs and rock bands in the upper half of the face and a long, low-angle runout across the glacier to get back toward Rogers Pass. From the Hermit or Rogers-Sifton side, expect complex routefinding through broken glacial features and overhead hazard. The face itself offers sustained, serious skiing with no easy escape once you commit; many lines funnel into terrain traps or cliff bands if you drift off your intended fall line. In lean or average snow years, you’ll be picking your way between rock and ice; only in deep, well-settled snowpacks do more direct fall-line options tend to fill in. The classic exit trends out via the Rogers Glacier toward the Rogers–Sifton col area, then back toward established routes leading to Hermit Basin or the Rogers Pass corridor. It’s a long, flat and sometimes convoluted glide that can feel like a slog in poor visibility or with tired legs, so plan your turnaround time and energy budget around the face, not the exit. Carry glacier kit, be dialed on crevasse rescue, and build your plan around current Glacier National Park winter permits, avalanche bulletins and any area closures. For official access and permit details, see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Sifton North Exit

This pitch is brief but sharp, and the exposed rock means it doesn’t take much wind to strip it down—being windward, it’s frequently thin or just plain mediocre. Treat it as a “conditions-first” slope, not a guaranteed ski. If the Sifton/Rogers col is giving bad vibes, there’s a solid alternate exit: work up through the north bowl and regain Sifton’s southwest ridge from there.

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Rogers Glacier

The “classic” exit via Rogers Glacier (flat + convoluted)

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Hermit Meadow Uptrack

Hermit Meadow Uptrack starts from the Hermit parking area in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, and climbs directly through steep forest toward Hermit Meadows. Expect a sustained skintrack with tight trees low down and short, punchy openings that can load with new snow. The line trends generally north from the lot before bending northwest into the Hermit Creek drainage and then back north toward the meadows bench. Terrain is mostly treed with short glades and small rollovers, giving some protection from wind but also creating classic Rogers Pass terrain traps in gullies and below convexities. Above treeline the route feeds into bigger alpine bowls and faces beneath Mount Sifton, Mount Rogers and the Hermit Range peaks, where exposure to overhead hazard ramps up quickly. Treat the uptrack as a serious avalanche approach, not a safe zone. Hermit / East Rogers is a Winter Restricted Area under the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. In winter you must: 1) hold a valid Winter Permit and Winter Parking Permit, 2) carry government photo ID, 3) have a national park pass, and 4) confirm on the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map that Hermit / East Rogers is open before leaving the lot. Entering when closed is illegal and exposes you to artillery control and large natural avalanches. Best use is mid‑winter to early spring when coverage in the steep forest is solid and stability allows you to move efficiently through the trees without lingering under overhead paths. On storm or high‑hazard days many parties cap their day in or just above the trees and avoid pushing into the alpine bowls. Expect no services at the trailhead; all logistics (permits, passes, beta) need to be sorted in Revelstoke, Golden, or at Summit Station before you click in. For current rules and daily area status see Parks Canada – Rogers Pass Winter Permit System .

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Mount Rogers Uptrack

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Hermit Path

Hermit Path runs on the west side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, roughly paralleling the steep Hermit Trail that climbs from the Trans‑Canada Highway up to Hermit Meadows in the Hermit Range. Expect a mix of tight trees and small openings with short rollovers and gullies that can easily turn into terrain traps once they’re filled in. This is real avalanche terrain despite the “intermediate-ish” feel, with overhead start zones feeding into confined features below. From the Hermit parking area you skin or boot up through dense forest, picking one of several entrance options that drop toward the main path. Take time to scope these from below and above; some lines pinch into creek beds and steep-sided drainages that are hard to escape once you’re committed. Safer options usually stay on the shoulders and avoid the deepest gullies, even if the skiing is less aesthetic. Wind can load the lee sides of small ribs and convex rolls here, so dig and test before you open it up. Mid-winter, watch for buried crusts and faceting in the shaded forest, and be wary of rapid loading during storms when overhead paths are running. In spring, solar input and loose wet out of the rocks above can quickly turn the lower constrictions into a bad place to linger; move efficiently through the traps and regroup only in wider, lower-angle benches. Parks Canada manages access, avalanche control, and winter permit systems for Rogers Pass, including the Hermit area. Check the daily avalanche bulletin and winter permit maps before you go, and respect any closures or artillery control work. Full details and current info: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Lone Pine Light

Lone Pine Light is a mellower sibling to the main Lone Pine line above Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, British Columbia. It shares the same general start zone and fall line but trends into more open, less constricted terrain, easing off the surgical feel of the direct couloir while still running through serious alpine avalanche terrain. From the usual Lone Pine skintrack, you break off toward the broader gully and open faces skiers’ left of the tightest choke. The line rolls through a mix of small features and open panels before rejoining the lower fan used by the main Lone Pine exit, so you can usually follow an obvious skier’s highway back toward the standard out track once you’re off the steeper business. Expect typical Rogers Pass overhead hazard with loaded start zones and cross-loaded ribs above the line. Wind slab, storm slab, and fast-running loose snow are all in play, and the lower gully can act as a terrain trap when coverage is thin or debris has already funneled through. Treat it as full-value avalanche terrain, not a warm-up lap, and match your commitment to a solid forecast, conservative group spacing, and a clean plan for pulling the plug if the snowpack feels off. Check current avalanche conditions and any area closures with Avalanche Canada and Parks Canada before heading out, and respect any control work or temporary restrictions in the corridor. More area and access details are available from Parks Canada: Glacier National Park .

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Lone Pine Access

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Lone Pine

Lone Pine is a long, steep, tight couloir dropping off the south side of Mount Tupper in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The line runs clean and direct to the Trans‑Canada Highway corridor, with a sustained fall‑line feel and walls that stay close enough to keep you honest most of the way down. Most parties gain the ridge/col system above via standard Tupper south‑side touring routes, then pick from several entrances depending on how the cornices and upper start zone have formed. Expect short exposed steps and corniced sections along the ridge that can be the real crux in firm or thin conditions. Once committed, the gut of the couloir is usually the safest and smoothest way to thread through old debris, runnels, and glide cracks lower down. This is a solar aspect line, so timing is everything: plan for a solid overnight freeze and aim to be off the steep upper walls before the sun really starts to work the rock bands and sidewalls. The lower fan and runout share the same glide‑crack problem as the rest of the Tupper south‑face paths—don’t loiter under the big south walls, and keep moving through the apron rather than stopping in the obvious runout zones. You are fully inside Glacier National Park and the Rogers Pass winter permit system. Check the daily Winter Permit Area map, avalanche forecast, and any special closures before you go, and be ready to adjust or bail if artillery control work or closures cut off your exit. Full glacier/avalanche kit, solid steep‑ski skills, and a tight group travel plan are mandatory here. For current access and permit details see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Mount Rogers South Face

Serious south-face ski mountaineering on Rogers Peak in Glacier National Park. The line drops off the upper south ridge into big alpine terrain above the Swiss Glacier, with exposure, overhead cornices and glaciated runout. This is not a storm-day lap; people treat it as a cold, locked-up-snowpack objective with strong visibility and low hazard. From the Hermit trailhead you skin or boot the steep summer trail to Hermit Meadows, then trend north and east onto the Swiss Glacier. Crevasse and bergschrund issues ramp up in lean years or late season, so most parties hug the climber’s-right side of the glacier near rock islands for safer passage. Gain the upper right-hand col on the south ridge, then follow the airy ridge toward the summit before picking a descent line that avoids obvious cornice hangfire and convex rolls. The face sees sun and wind, so expect a mix of wind-affected snow, pockets of settled powder and potential crust. Sluff management matters in the upper pitches, and the lower face can push you toward crevasse fields and the main bergschrund if you let fall-line take over. Plan your timing so you are off the south face before solar input spikes, and build in margin for navigating back across the glacier to the Hermit trail in flat light or afternoon hazard.

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West Ridge Couloirs #1

Classic, no-nonsense west-side couloir lines that you can drop into right off the summit or the west ridge bootpack. The exit can feel a bit clunky if you end up doing the Rogers Glacier shuffle, but when it’s filled in this is a clean, satisfying run—straightforward skiing, no weird surprises.

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West Ridge Couloirs #2

Classic, no-nonsense west-side couloir lines that you can drop into right off the summit or the west ridge bootpack. The exit can feel a bit clunky if you end up doing the Rogers Glacier shuffle, but when it’s filled in this is a clean, satisfying run—straightforward skiing, no weird surprises.

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Mount Rogers South Couloir

A more serious couloir where you should be ready to get technical—depending on coverage and how the upper choke is formed, a rappel (often around 30 m) can be part of the deal.

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Mount Rogers Northwest Face

This route feels longer than it looks, demands more routefinding, and has a higher commitment level. The usual sequence is to gain a high col, traverse toward a notch, then drop the NW face couloir into Mountain Creek.

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Nothwest bowl exit

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Mount Rogers North Face

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Mount Rogers North Face Exit

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Mount Rogers North Face Light

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Swiss Backside Uptrack

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Swiss Couloir

Swiss Couloir is a steep, narrow ski-mountaineering line on the south face of Swiss Peak above the Swiss Glacier in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The chute drops from the Swiss–Truda col area as a tight rock-walled couloir, a classic high-commitment descent in the Rogers / Swiss / Truda massif. Access is via Hermit Basin from the Rogers Pass corridor, then onto the Swiss Glacier before traversing to the base of the couloir. Expect a sustained bootpack in confined terrain; parties commonly climb the line they intend to ski, which gives a good read on snow structure but commits you to overhead hazard from your own group and anyone above. The line is south-facing and very steep, with a pronounced choke. Solar input rapidly affects both rock and snow, so timing is critical to avoid loose wet activity and rockfall. Wind slabs over weak facets have been observed in the choke; be ready to turn around if you find stiff, hollow snow over sugary layers. Overhead exposure, terrain-trap runout and complex glaciated access make this an objective for experienced ski-mountaineers only. Swiss Couloir sits inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass winter permit system. A valid winter permit and compliance with daily area openings/closures are mandatory, even for so‑called unrestricted zones. Check the Rogers Pass backcountry access map, avalanche bulletin and current closures with Parks Canada before leaving the parking lot, and build a conservative plan B in case the Hermit/Swiss sector is closed. More info and current regulations: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Swiss Peak South Face

Often used as an ascent line more than a ski line—it’s a standard way to access the north side. The character is exposed and can funnel you through a couple of tight spots, with a mid-slope choke that turns into rock/ice when coverage is thin. Higher up, expect it may finish with some scrambling to reach the summit.

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Swiss Peak North Face

A top-tier “do not mess around” descent: huge vertical relief, serious exposure, and an upper face that hangs above a major cliff band. The line usually hinges on one key feature—a filled-in tube/slot that lets you transition off the upper face. If that passage isn’t in, that’s the whole story: you turn around, not negotiate. Down low, bergschrunds often guard the exit, so you’re dealing with objective hazards at both ends. This is the kind of route that only makes sense with perfect timing and truly solid stability.

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Truda Couloir

Truda Couloir is the steep gash dropping from the Swiss–Truda col on the Mount Rogers massif. It’s a classic “big terrain, real consequences” line: narrow-ish, often wind-affected, and it can turn into firm/icy step-kicking depending on season and timing. When it’s filled in and stable, it’s a super direct way to get high quickly and ski a clean, dramatic fall-line back to the glacier.

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Tupper Traverse

This is the kind of all-day linkup where you’re not just skiing a run—you’re traveling through the mountain. You’ll get the full package: a proper approach, decision points at cols, managing cornice terrain, and then a long, committing exit. It’s at its best when you already understand how the terrain connects; without that familiarity, the route can feel confusing and ends up more serious than you’d expect for a “traverse.” Also, it’s a poor match for splitboards—there’s a lot of traversing.

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Tupper Traverse Exit Uptrack

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Mounds

A classic “better than it looks on paper” Tupper line—though it can be a bit of a pain to reach when coverage is low. Getting set up usually means a traverse to dial in the entrance. The theme here is positioning and routefinding. It’s less “point it from the top” and more “get yourself in the right place, then commit.”

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Single Bench West

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Single Bench

One of Tupper’s best “big couloir” zones—and also one of the most consistently active avalanche corridors with real implications for the highway. It’s a longer approach with a few key decision points, and the upper section can turn into steep, icy cruxing when coverage is thin. Cornices at the col show up often and can dictate how (or if) you enter.

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Single Bench Couloir

A narrower couloir that can ski a lot more technical than it appears, depending on how the entrance and runout are shaped that day. The top is very conditions-dependent: sometimes it’s a smooth drop-in, other times it turns into an awkward little puzzle. Plan on a ~25 m rappel at the top, and don’t be surprised by exposed rock—thin coverage is common.

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Lens Couloir

A lower-key couloir that tends to fly under the radar—which is honestly part of the appeal. Up high, expect cornices to factor into the entry, and plan on a bit of micro-routefinding where the upper section splits and you have to pick the best fork.

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Connaught Path / Tupper Exit

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Connaught Path

A low-key classic with a big payoff: a long avalanche-path descent that often skis great without the main-area traffic. Standard plan is to climb via Lookout, pop into the small col, then settle in for a sustained, moderate-angle run with a long runout. Main hazards are consistent: cornices near the col and big, open start zones above you. On the climb, manage overhead exposure like it actually matters—because it does.

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Lookout

More of a go-from-A-to-B line than a “ski the line” objective. When coverage is thin, it can be classic Rogers awkwardness—creek openings, brush, and a bit of thrashing. When it’s filled in, it becomes an easy, efficient corridor that just… works. Super useful for scouting and as a connector into bigger options.

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Tupper #2

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Connaught Uptrack

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Tupper #3

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Stone Arch

A near-the-car powder lap when stability is truly solid—but don’t let the convenience fool you. This line has real overhead exposure and plenty of terrain traps where small mistakes get big consequences. If there’s any doubt in the snowpack, it’s not a “go see what it’s like” zone. Think of it as an avalanche path first and a powder run second.

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Portal

The most demanding of your east-side Tupper lines: the crux is all about finding a workable entry through cliffs and exposed rock. When it’s deep, it can stitch together into something reasonable; when it’s thin, it turns into a “this is why we brought sharp tools” kind of situation.

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Flat Creek Designated Access Route

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Alternate DAR

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Ross Peak Designated Access Route

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Hermit

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Railroad Ridge Uptrack

Macdonald Railroad Ridge is a “skin fast, ski big” Rogers Pass uptrack. You climb a treed rib that funnels you quickly toward open alpine, with clean, intuitive travel in good visibility—and the kind of featureless, wind-battered vibe that can feel way bigger in a storm. Down low, the trees are tight and travel can be awkward. This side of the Pass often runs leaner, so expect thinner coverage, more firm layers, and generally trickier travel compared to the deeper-feeling zones—terrain management matters as much as turns.

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MacDonald Gully #1

Gully #1 is a tight avalanche path line with a sibling gully immediately adjacent. It only skis well once the snowpack is properly filled in; thin coverage turns the whole thing into a scratchy, high-consequence puzzle with exposed ice and creek features lurking under the sluff. From the lower fan, trend up along the obvious path, staying out of the gut where overhead hazard is active. The entrance can be awkward and often requires picking through small rolls and old debris; expect to downclimb or sidestep if the last cycle flushed it to rock or blue ice. Once in, the walls focus any new snow and wind loading, so read the surface carefully before committing. This is advanced terrain: confined gully, overhead hazard, and frequent hangfire after storms or warm-ups. Watch for hard wind slab over older debris, buried ice in the choke, and terrain traps where the path narrows. Best treated as a conditions-first objective in a stable snowpack, not a casual lap to “just check it out.”

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MacDonald Gully #2

MacDonald Gully #2 is a steep, serious ski line on the north side of Mount Macdonald in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The gully holds cold, shaded snow but also funnels overhead hazard from big alpine start zones above, so you’re exposed to anything that cuts loose higher on the face. From the Rogers Pass visitor centre parking, skin up the Connaught Creek corridor toward the Macdonald gullies, then break climber’s right to gain the fan and bootpack into the line proper. Expect a confined gully with sustained steep pitches and short rock walls on either side that limit escape options once you’re in it. The line skis best with a proper base to smooth out rock ribs and old ice. In lean coverage, bias skier’s left where the line splits just above mid-run and avoid getting lured right, where water ice often shows. Watch for wind slab from prevailing SW–W winds, cross-loading at the choke, and debris or ice chunks from traffic and natural activity above. This is advanced terrain in a complex avalanche environment. Strong group travel discipline, conservative overhead hazard management, and current Glacier National Park winter permit compliance are mandatory. Check the Avalanche Canada Glacier forecast and Parks Canada Rogers Pass bulletins before committing. More info: Avalanche Canada – Glacier forecast .

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Waterfall

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MacDonald Gully #5

MacDonald Gully #5 drops off the north side of Mount Macdonald above the Trans-Canada corridor in Glacier National Park, in the Rogers Pass winter permit area. It is a confined north-facing chute with big overhead walls and cornices, holding cold, stiff snow but also catching wind slab and storm debris. Expect sustained, planar skiing with short rollovers rather than a single obvious crux, and serious exposure if anything moves. From the Rogers Pass parking and winter permit trailheads, you skin into the Macdonald north-side basin following the designated uptrack for the day, then trend into the gully’s lower fan before committing to the walls. The line funnels into a waterfall zone around 1,650 m where thin coverage, ice and holes can force downclimbing or a full retreat; in lean or warming periods this section can be genuinely no-fall. Above, the chute is more straightforward but still threatened by cornices and hangfire from the upper face. This is serious avalanche terrain inside an actively controlled highway corridor. You must comply with the Rogers Pass winter permit system, daily area openings and closures, and any artillery or explosive control work; closures are enforced and violations can mean fines and loss of access. Strong parties wait for a deep, well-bridged snowpack, low hazard, and minimal recent loading before committing, and treat the gully as a one-at-a-time, heads-up run with tight group management. For current access, closures and avalanche information, see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park and the linked Rogers Pass winter permit and avalanche pages.

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Gully #5 Exit

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MacDonald Gully #9 (Diagonal Gully)

A steep, exposed couloir that can feel wildly different depending on coverage. Expect a couple of cruxy zones: the bottom choke, and another tighter/rougher section mid–upper couloir where ice/rock can show. 

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MacDonald Gully #9 Uptrack

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MacDonald Gully #10

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MacDonald Gully #11

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MacDonald Gully #13

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Gully #13 Access

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Herdman Couloir / Crossover Path

Steep north-side ski line on Mount Macdonald above Connaught Creek in Rogers Pass, linking the Crossover Path into Herdman Couloir. Expect serious overhead exposure from the Macdonald north face and big cornices hanging over the gut; this is not a casual lap and deserves full avalanche-forecast homework and a conservative mindset. From the Hermit parking, skin up Connaught Creek and find a safe crossing; in many seasons you’re waiting for avalanche debris or a solid mid-winter snowpack to bridge the main channel. Once across, bash through dense alder on the fan to gain the lower Crossover Path, then trend up into the main drainage and switch to bootpack when it steepens and narrows. Most parties boot the Herdman proper, though a wrap-around from the south side of Macdonald is sometimes used by climbers and guided groups. The line is confined with rock walls, overhead cornices and exposure to sluff and old debris; watch for runnels, hard refrozen surfaces and chunks from cornice fall. Aim for cold, “boring” stability with well-settled storm snow and avoid warm pulses, strong solar or wind-loading events. Ski back down the couloir to the Crossover Path and out the fan, managing overhead hazard and regrouping only in true islands of safety. The exit through the alder and creek can be the crux late season when bridges thin; keep energy in the tank for a careful recrossing of Connaught Creek. 

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MacDonald South Face

MacDonald South Face is a serious ski-mountaineering line above the NRC lot in Rogers Pass, sitting on the south side of Mount Macdonald in Glacier National Park. The line climbs from mature forest and moraines into a broad alpine face, with multiple options for how you gain the upper mountain. Expect a mix of skinning and short bootpacks, with route-finding decisions that matter once you leave the lower benches. From the lower fan, trend generally north toward the obvious south face, weaving through moraines and ribs to avoid steeper rollovers and overhead exposure. Around the mid-mountain benches you’ll need to choose an up-track that keeps you out of terrain traps while still setting you up for the upper face; many parties aim for a high traverse that lets them step onto the main south face rather than committing too early into gullies. At roughly 2,450 m you can usually traverse east onto the upper face, often crossing a rock rib that becomes part of the ski line on the way down. Above here the terrain opens into big, sustained turns with significant exposure to the ridge overhead. Cornices along the summit ridge are the primary hazard: give them a wide berth on the ascent, avoid stopping under them, and pick a ski line that minimizes time below the largest overhangs. Snowpack on this aspect is often variable, with a reputation for faceted, weaker layers and wind effect compared to more sheltered Rogers Pass classics. Treat the face as a high-consequence avalanche feature with limited safe islands once you commit above the traverse. Many parties time it for cooler, settled periods with good overnight freezes and stable hazard, using the face as part of a longer traverse toward Banana Couloir or the Hermit side when conditions and energy allow. This route lies in Glacier National Park and is subject to Parks Canada winter permit, highway corridor, and artillery closure systems. Always check the current Rogers Pass winter permit information, daily avalanche bulletin, and area/road closures before heading out. Full regulations and daily updates: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Banana Couloir

Banana Couloir drops off the southwest ridge of Mount Macdonald above Crossover Bowl in Glacier National Park. It sits beside Herdman Couloir and is commonly used as a ski-mountaineering descent option from the NW or SW ridge of Macdonald when the line is well filled in with snow. The feature is a tight, north-facing slot that holds winter snow late but needs a solid snowpack to cover rock steps and old rappel terrain. From the Macdonald side of the basin, you generally gain the upper southwest ridge via the NRC Col / Ledge Basin style approaches used for Macdonald’s alpine routes, then traverse along the ridge toward the top of the couloir. Parties often access Banana from just below the SW ridge descent line, sometimes with a short rappel off a slung block to drop into the upper couloir when the entrance is rocky or undercut. When it is fully filled, strong parties may be able to step directly in without ropework, but you should not count on that. The skiing is sustained and confined, with rock walls on both sides and a clear fall line that feeds into the broader Crossover Bowl below. Overhead hazard from the upper face and ridge is significant, and the line is exposed to sluffing and storm or wind loading from the Macdonald massif. Once you exit into Crossover Bowl you are under large alpine slopes; manage regroup spots carefully and move efficiently through runout zones. Banana is notably more serious than Herdman: it feels steeper, is narrower, and is less forgiving if coverage is thin. It is best in a deep, stable mid-winter or early-spring snowpack when the upper rock steps are buried and cornices along the ridge are manageable. Treat it as a full ski-mountaineering objective with crampons, axe, and a light rope for the entrance, and be ready to bail to Herdman if cornices, rock, or instability make the top of the line unreasonable.

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Crossover Access

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Herdman Access

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Banana Access

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NRC Uptrack

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Macdonald West Shoulder #4

NRC is a Rogers Pass ski line in Glacier National Park on the west side of Mt Macdonald, sitting inside the West Rogers Winter Restricted Area. The lower half is the usual target, with more sheltered snow and easier route options; the upper pitch is more exposed, often wind-affected, and carries higher consequence if you push too high or too far skier’s right toward the Macdonald West Winter Prohibited Area . From the NRC gully trailhead parking you skin up the obvious drainage and adjacent forested ribs, picking your way around small terrain traps and staying clear of overhead start zones. Routefinding matters: boundaries between Winter Restricted and Winter Prohibited terrain are not intuitive on the ground, use Outmap Rogers Pass Winter Status Layer to stay out of the prohibited zone. This zone can ski beautifully right after a storm and before wind strips or slabs the upper features; it gets hammered fast and quickly turns into a mix of wind board, pockets of soft, and funky debris. Expect overhead hazard from artillery-controlled paths and natural avalanches, plus confined gully sections that can act as terrain traps. Treat the upper pitch as serious avalanche terrain and be conservative with overhead loading, recent control work, and any sign of wind slab or step-down potential. Access is entirely controlled by the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Winter Permit and Winter Parking Permit, check the daily status for West Rogers and NRC gully, and stay out of any closed or Winter Prohibited areas —violations have already triggered special closures here and put future access at risk. Full permit rules, daily maps, and area status are on the Parks Canada winter hub: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/hiver-winter/ski .

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Vent Shaft Ridge

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NRC Gully

NRC Gully is a major avalanche path dropping directly toward the Trans-Canada corridor in Glacier National Park, used both as a ski run and as the standard uptrack for laps on the Macdonald west side and access toward Avalanche Creek. The line runs mostly through forested terrain with a defined gully feature and open slide path sections overhead, so you’re essentially in a terrain trap with big start zones above for most of the tour. The route sits in a Winter Restricted Area under the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Winter Permit and an associated parking permit for the NRC Gully trailhead, and you need to confirm that the specific West Rogers / NRC Gully unit is open before leaving the car—Parks Canada has repeatedly closed the NRC Gully trailhead and adjacent terrain after tracks were observed entering the adjacent Macdonald West Winter Prohibited Area. Expect sudden closures after storms or if people poach the boundary; if it’s closed, you’re done for the day here. From the trailhead parking, skin straight up from the car on the usual uptrack through trees on the side of the gully, gaining elevation immediately with no flat valley approach. Higher up, the forest thins and you can choose between staying in denser trees for more protection or pushing into the more open slide path and bowls above, depending on hazard and visibility. Most parties lap the lower and mid-elevation glades when danger is elevated, saving the upper bowls and ridge options for more stable periods. Snow and hazard are highly condition-dependent. Being right at the pass, winds can strip or load the upper start zones in odd ways, and the gully itself is a classic catchment for debris from the big bowl above. Treat the whole feature as overhead hazard, manage regroup spots carefully, and be disciplined about turnaround points when the bulletin trends toward considerable or higher. When coverage is deep and stability is good, it’s efficient fall-line tree skiing right back to the highway; when it’s thin or touchy, it quickly turns into a “why are we here” wallow with serious exposure.

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Avalanche Northwest Uptrack

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Avalanche North Glacier

Glaciated north-facing terrain on the Avalanche–Macdonald side of Rogers Pass, usually reached via the Macdonald West Shoulder / NRC approach from the Connaught Creek side. From the shoulder you trend north and then east toward the NRC Col, dropping into the broad but exposed basin that feeds the Avalanche North Glacier. Expect broken glacier with crevasses that are often more manageable mid-season but can open fast after heat or wind events. The lower roll steepens and can show blue ice or thinly bridged sections, so parties often probe carefully or belay short sections rather than committing everyone at once. Overhead hazard is real: cornices along the NRC Col and flanking ridges, plus several “don’t fall here” traverses where a slip would funnel you into crevasse fields or over steeper ice. Standard glacier kit, tight rope discipline, and conservative spacing are mandatory; most teams give this line a miss in poor visibility, during active loading, or when cornices are sagging. You are inside Glacier National Park, under Parks Canada permits, seasonal closures, and avalanche-control restrictions. Check current winter permit system maps, area closures, and artillery control work before leaving the lot, and plan a conservative turnaround so you are clear of start zones before afternoon warming.

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Avalanche Northwest Couloir

Avalanche Northwest Couloir drops off Avalanche Mountain above Rogers Pass in complex alpine terrain inside Glacier National Park (BC). The line faces generally north to northwest, holding cold, shaded snow but also catching wind from prevailing southwest flows. Expect a sustained, confined couloir with serious overhead hazard from cornices along the upper ridge and frequent natural avalanche activity in bigger storm cycles. Most parties approach via the NRC Col and north glacier from the Rogers Pass side, using the established winter permit system to access the Avalanche Mountain backcountry area. From the col you trend toward the obvious NW-facing cleft, usually transitioning to bootpack for the final climb up the gut. Treat the bootpack as fully exposed terrain—no safe islands once you are in the chute, and limited options to step out of the fall line. The couloir is a serious avalanche path with a large catchment above, a pronounced funnel mid-line, and a confined runout. Wind slabs, storm slabs, and lingering persistent weak layers are common problems here; even small releases can have high consequences in the choke and lower walls. Overhead cornices along the entry ridge are a recurring hazard—give them a wide berth on both the approach and at the drop-in, and avoid lingering under them in warming or strong wind. This is advanced ski-mountaineering terrain: complex route-finding through the permit zones, glacier travel skills for the NRC approach, and solid steep-skiing movement in no-fall sections. Best days are during colder, stable periods after recent loading has settled and cornices are not actively shedding. Build your plan around the Parks Canada winter permit system, daily avalanche bulletin, and any special closures in the Rogers Pass highway corridor. Full avalanche kit, glacier gear for the approach, and a conservative group mindset are standard here. Check current access, winter permits, and avalanche control closures with Parks Canada before heading out: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park ski touring .

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Avalanche South Face

Avalanche South Face drops into Avalanche/Eagle basin off Avalanche Mountain in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The line starts from a broad, windward ridge and then tightens into a south-facing chute that doglegs down into the main basin, with exposure to overhead start zones above the constriction. From the Avalanche Crest skintrack, continue along the broad ridge toward the south face until the terrain rolls over and the chute entrance becomes obvious. Most parties ski from the ridge crest, then work into the gut once coverage is confirmed, exiting down into Avalanche/Eagle basin and rejoining common uptracks toward Avalanche Crest or back toward the highway corridor. This face is heavily affected by wind and sun: expect cross-loaded pockets near the ridge, stiff wind slab over facets in lean periods, and rapid warming on clear spring days. The chute has terrain-trap characteristics in the mid-section, with limited options to escape overhead hazard once committed. It skis best in a deep, well-settled snowpack with a stable structure and recent storm or wind loading well understood from the avalanche bulletin and recent observations. Glacier National Park is fully within avalanche terrain; daily permits, winter restricted/closed areas, and highway avalanche control closures apply and change through the season. Check the Parks Canada Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin, winter permit system, and current area/road closures before committing to this face. More info: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Avalanche Moraines

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Avalanche Crest Uptrack

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Avalanche Crest #4

Avalanche Crest is a popular Rogers Pass ski tour on the southwest flank of Avalanche Mountain in Glacier National Park. The line follows the summer Avalanche Crest trail from the Illecillewaet parking area, then breaks onto the broad crest before dropping a sustained fall-line face back toward the Trans-Canada Highway. This #4 option is one of several parallel gullies and faces along the ridge, all feeding back toward the same lower fan near the road. Terrain is a mix of open, west- to southwest-facing alpine and subalpine slopes with sparse trees, rolling convexities and multiple gullies. The slope is broad enough that you can easily drift into steeper, more exposed features or cliff bands, especially in flat light or storm snow. With a deep midwinter base, small pillow and cliff lines fill in and become skiable, but they are still serious terrain if you do not know the exits. From the Illecillewaet lot, skin the old rail grade to the signed Avalanche Crest summer trail, then follow the well-used uptrack through forest to treeline and onto the ridge. The usual drop-in for this line is from the crest above the main southwest face, picking a gully or fall-line lane that keeps you away from obvious rock bands and overhead cornices. On the exit, trend skier’s right toward the highway, but stay alert for terrain traps, creek cuts and snowplow debris near the road berm. This zone sits inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System and portions of Avalanche Crest are within Winter Restricted Areas; you must check the daily WRA status and carry the required permit before leaving the lot. West-facing solar input rapidly changes the upper snowpack during clear periods, creating melt-freeze crusts, loose wet and storm slabs on buried crusts. The face also has large, unsupported rolls with significant overhead hazard, so stability needs to be solid before you commit to the main fall line. For current access rules, closures and avalanche control information, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park pages and the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System details: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier .

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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 .

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Avalanche Crest #2

Avalanche Crest is a Rogers Pass classic: a broad SW-facing avalanche path dropping from the Avalanche Mountain ridge straight toward the Trans‑Canada, with the Illecillewaet parking lot as your visual anchor. The standard ski approach follows the summer Avalanche Crest trail from the Illecillewaet campground area, climbing forested slopes to treeline and then gaining the open ridge before you pick your line into the main slide path. The upper ridge gives straightforward navigation but real overhead hazard: cornices build along the crest and a small cliff band lurks partway down, so most parties stick to well‑supported openings and avoid hanging directly under overhung features. The main face skis as a sustained fall‑line avalanche path with convex rolls and broad fan terrain lower down; in poor visibility, many riders trend to slightly lower‑angled ribs or shallow gullies rather than committing to the steepest rolls. Aspect is predominantly west to southwest, so the slope takes a lot of sun once days get longer. Expect melt‑freeze crusts, rapid warming, and loose‑wet or slab problems on solar cycles; this is not the place to linger under overhead hazard when the snowpack is heating up. On colder storm cycles, wind loading from prevailing winds can stiffen the upper start zones while leaving softer snow in the mid‑path and fan. The exit finishes close to the highway; manage your line so you don’t get funneled into terrain traps, creek features, or the snowplow zone right at the road cut. This entire zone lies inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System, with Avalanche Crest in a Winter Restricted Area—check the daily WRA status and carry the appropriate permit before leaving the lot. Full avalanche kit, conservative group spacing in the path, and a clear plan for regroup spots are mandatory here, no matter how short the tour feels. For current access and permit details see Parks Canada .

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Avalanche Crest #3

Avalanche Crest #3 is one of several short ski lines dropping from the Avalanche Crest ridge above the Illecillewaet side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. The line follows an open avalanche path framed by sparse trees, generally offering cleaner skiing than some neighbouring options, with fewer shrubs and a straightforward fall-line run back toward the highway corridor. From the Avalanche Crest summer trailhead at Illecillewaet, skin the established hiking trail through dense cedar–hemlock forest to treeline, then trend onto the broad ridge toward Avalanche Crest. Stay on or just off the ridge to avoid loaded lee features and cornices that build along the crest. The usual drop-in for #3 is from a mellow bench on the ridge, well back from any overhanging cornice, where you can scope the full path and confirm no exposure to overhead hazard from higher start zones. The descent is a classic Rogers Pass avalanche path: mid-angle alpine and subalpine slopes that can hold excellent storm or settled powder, with small cliff bands and rollovers on the margins. Watch for a rock band partway down that can force you skier’s left or right depending on coverage; in lean conditions this can turn into a terrain trap. Lower down, the path narrows and flattens near the highway—manage speed, keep your group tight, and avoid dropping into creek banks or gully bottoms that can be hard to escape in deep snow.

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Avalanche Crest Exit

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Avalanche Crest #1

Avalanche Crest sits above the Illecillewaet corridor in Glacier National Park and is a classic Rogers Pass ski tour with multiple descent options along the west-facing ridge. From the Illecillewaet parking area you skin up through mature forest, generally following the summer hiking trail corridor, then break into more open glades and the alpine bowl below the crest before gaining the ridge proper. The #1 line is the most serious of the Avalanche Crest descents, dropping from higher on the ridge into steeper, more committing terrain with exposure to unsupported features and cliff bands on the north side. Expect a mix of open alpine faces and gullies with terrain traps low down near the highway; precise navigation is key so you don’t drift toward the north-side cliffs or get funneled into tight gullies on the exit. Best days are when the lower forest is well filled in and stability is solid enough to manage overhead hazard and the steeper rolls on the upper face. Give extra space to convexities, cross-loaded features, and the gully bottoms near the road, and expect traffic from other parties when conditions line up. Full details on permits, daily openings and closures are on the Parks Canada Rogers Pass winter page: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Overlook Access

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Eagle Peak South Couloir

Eagle Peak’s south side drops into a long, committing couloir above Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Most parties skin and bootpack in classic Rogers style: up the Avalanche Crest Trail from the Illecillewaet side to gain the broad alpine bowl below Avalanche Mountain and Eagle Peak, then traverse and climb into the south couloir proper. Expect a mix of forest switchbacks, open bowl travel, and a final steep bootpack to a col on the Eagle–Avalanche ridge, with optional summit tag if cornices and wind loading allow. The upper face hangs above cliff bands, so snow stability needs to be well above average before you drop. Overhead hazard from cornices along the ridge and cross‑loaded start zones is real, especially after recent storms or strong winds. The line funnels into a defined couloir with exposure to rocks on both sides; sluff management matters, and a small slide can push you toward the cliffs. This is serious alpine terrain with no easy escape once you commit. Ideal timing is mid‑winter to early spring when coverage is solid and the south aspects haven’t gone isothermal. Watch for rapid warming, solar input, and the usual Rogers Pass artillery work—closures and control work can affect access, and unexploded shells are possible off the main trail. Check Glacier National Park avalanche bulletins, area closures, and winter permit requirements before heading out, and treat this as a full‑value day, not a quick lap. For current regulations and seasonal info see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Practices Slopes #1

Despite the mellow name, this is consequential terrain. The line tucks under steeper alpine faces, and the north option in particular sits in the firing line of overhead start zones that can run big in storm or warm cycles. Treat every stop and transition with that in mind; don’t linger in the gut or under obvious paths. Snow can be tricky here. Shaded aspects hang onto cold, faceted surfaces and wind effect, so you’re often dealing with stiff slabs over weak snow or punchy crusts rather than hero powder. It’s rarely worth “just a lap to test things”—if you’re probing stability, do it from safe test slopes with clean runouts, not directly beneath overhead hazard. From the skintrack, pick your line so you’re minimizing time under the steeper walls above, even if it means a slightly more awkward traverse. Use islands of safety on ribs and small trees, and regroup only where you’re clearly out of any potential run path. This is a short route, but it deserves full route planning, clear communication, and a conservative mindset.

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Practice Slopes #2

Despite the mellow name, this is consequential terrain. The line tucks under steeper alpine faces, and the north option in particular sits in the firing line of overhead start zones that can run big in storm or warm cycles. Treat every stop and transition with that in mind; don’t linger in the gut or under obvious paths. Snow can be tricky here. Shaded aspects hang onto cold, faceted surfaces and wind effect, so you’re often dealing with stiff slabs over weak snow or punchy crusts rather than hero powder. It’s rarely worth “just a lap to test things”—if you’re probing stability, do it from safe test slopes with clean runouts, not directly beneath overhead hazard. From the skintrack, pick your line so you’re minimizing time under the steeper walls above, even if it means a slightly more awkward traverse. Use islands of safety on ribs and small trees, and regroup only where you’re clearly out of any potential run path. This is a short route, but it deserves full route planning, clear communication, and a conservative mindset.

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Cliff bands area

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Wheeler Hut Uptrack

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Sir Donald Trail

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Sir Donald Traverse Access

The Sir Donald Traverse links the high ridges around Mount Sir Donald in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass, in serious alpine terrain.  From the Illecillewaet campground area, follow the Sir Donald Trail into the basin below the Vaux Glacier, then gain the Uto–Sir Donald col via the moraine crest or the lower bivy and upper gully system. 

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Uto Couloir

The Uto couloir is the serious north-side exit used on the Sir Donald → Macdonald ski traverse. From the Sir Donald–Uto east-ridge col you drop straight into a tight, hourglass couloir that starts in the mid‑40° range and can steepen to about 50° through the upper funnel before pinching to a rock‑walled choke only a couple of metres wide. Above, cornices and wind loading are common; below, the line fans onto a broad avalanche apron that runs out onto the Eagle Glacier, so sluff and any triggered slab have full‑path consequence. Snowpack tends to hide rock in the choke and sidewalls, and parties often belay a ski cut from rock horns at the top to manage isolated wind slabs before committing. Sluff management is critical: jump‑turn the upper funnel in small batches, then side‑step or carefully sideslip the choke to keep debris moving away from your feet. Once through the pinch, you can open it up on the lower fan but need to stay alert for old debris and runnels before you spill onto the low‑angle glacier. An alternative to the couloir is to stay on the Uto Glacier and wrap around the lower east ridge on more open, lower‑consequence terrain, trading the aesthetic fall‑line shot for fewer choke points and less overhead hazard. All of this sits inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Restricted Areas, so you must check the Rogers Pass winter permit system and daily WRA status before committing to the traverse or dropping into the line. 

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Uto Glacier

Uto Glacier drops east from the Uto/Sir Donald col into the Beaver River side of Glacier National Park, in the heart of Rogers Pass. You’re in full-on glaciated alpine terrain here: broken ice, crevasse fields, and overhead seracs in a big, complex basin above the Beaver Valley. Treat it as serious ski mountaineering, not a casual lap. From the col, the west (Rogers Pass) side is steeper, rockier, and often hammered by wind and sun, with exposure above cliffs; most parties use it mainly as the ascent line. The east side onto Uto Glacier is lower-angle glacier travel but still demands tight group management around crevasse bands and corniced rollovers. Expect variable snow from cold winter powder to spring melt-freeze, depending on timing in the November–April Rogers Pass touring season. This zone sits inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Winter Permit and Winter Parking Permit, and your line has to stay within open areas on the daily Parks Canada map; closures here are enforced for artillery control over the Trans-Canada Highway and Beaver Valley. No camping is allowed in Winter Restricted Areas, and overnight trips require proper backcountry permits from Parks Canada. Plan your day around the Rogers Pass avalanche forecast and the Winter Permit maps, and be ready to turn around if control work, visibility, or wind loading don’t line up. Strong parties with solid glacier travel skills, crevasse rescue competence, and comfort managing big overhead hazard will find Uto Glacier a full-value objective when conditions, permits, and closures all line up. For current regulations and maps see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park winter backcountry .

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Uto Couloir Uptrack

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Sir Donald Traverse / Avalanche Glacier

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Avalanche Glachier East Exit

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Avalanche East Face

Avalanche East Face drops off the east side of Avalanche Mountain in Glacier National Park, in full alpine terrain above the Avalanche Glacier. The line falls from the col between the main and south summits, with options to start slightly higher off the south summit when coverage and stability allow. Expect a broad face with multiple fall-line variations that all feed toward glaciated terrain below. From the upper ridge, give the corniced sections a wide berth and use lower-angle ribs or scoured sections to access the face. The slope rolls over quickly, and visibility can be an issue in flat light, so strong route-finding is key to staying away from convexities and isolated pockets. Below, the glacier has crevasses and broken sections; parties usually trend toward more supported terrain rather than pushing into the middle of the ice. This is serious alpine avalanche terrain with overhead hazard from the upper face and cornices, plus the added consequence of glacier exposure. It is generally a mid-winter to spring objective in stable conditions, once coverage on the glacier is reliable and the snowpack has settled. Many parties time it for clear, cold nights and early starts to be off the face before solar input and warming start to affect the east aspect. Check Glacier National Park access rules and daily avalanche forecasts before committing; winter permit systems, closures, or artillery control work can affect when and how you can be in this zone. 

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Overlook Uptrack

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Vaux Moraines

Low-angle ski touring line on the Vaux Moraines beneath the Sir Donald Range in Rogers Pass. The moraine ribs and broad benches give mostly open glades and rolling terrain, with short steeper rolls between flatter sections. This makes it a common option when you want to stay away from bigger alpine features but still move through interesting terrain. From the Sir Donald trailhead, follow the summer trail toward the Vaux Moraine, then gain the moraine proper and trend up-glacier toward the broad shoulder used to access Overlook Bowl. Once on the moraine, the line generally follows its spine and adjacent low-angled fans, avoiding the steeper sidewalls and gullies that collect debris. Main hazards are cross-loaded rolls on the moraine crest, small terrain traps in the gullies between ribs, and overhead avalanche paths from the higher faces if you push too far toward the bowls. Even when avalanche danger is elevated, you still need disciplined terrain selection here: stay on the mellow benches, avoid convexities, and give any obvious overhead start zones a wide berth. Best used in mid-winter to early spring when coverage smooths out the moraine blocks and creek features. In lean conditions expect more exposed rocks and awkward sidehilling on the ribs. Check Glacier National Park avalanche bulletins and any seasonal closures or restrictions for the Illecillewaet / Sir Donald area before heading out.

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Sir Donald Path

Sir Donald Path is a historic ski and climbing approach into the Sir Donald basin on the south side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. From the Illecillewaet trailhead area, you follow the Sir Donald Trail toward the basin below the Vaux Glacier, then branch into the basin and toward the Uto–Sir Donald col if you’re linking bigger objectives. Once in the basin, the terrain opens into alpine bowls and moraines with options to push higher or treat it as an out‑and‑back tour. The lower forest is steep, tight and brushy, so this line skis best with a deep, supportive base. Expect awkward coverage early season, alder and small trees grabbing skis, and a firm exit track that can be spicy on the way out. Above treeline you’re in big, exposed alpine terrain with complex micro‑features and overhead hazard from the west face of Sir Donald and surrounding walls. Sir Donald’s west face is a very active avalanche zone, with the standard access to the Uto–Sir Donald col crossing beneath large paths and gullies. Overhead hazard, cross‑loaded features and debris fans are the main concerns; treat the traverse under the west face as no‑fall‑zone decision terrain. Time your travel for low hazard, good visibility and cold, settled snow, and be ready to turn around if wind slab or recent storm snow is present on the alpine rolls feeding the basin.

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Perley Rock Uptrack

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Perley Rock

Perley Rock is a Rogers Pass staple above the Illecillewaet Valley, starting from the Illecillewaet campground in Glacier National Park. Once parked, pick up the signed trail leaving from the upper end of the campground area and follow the path as it trends up-valley on an old road and established trail toward the Illecillewaet River and waterfall zone below the glacier. The lower approach moves through forest and old avalanche paths, then into rougher ground with boulders and heather benches as you climb toward treeline. In winter and spring this whole line is serious avalanche terrain with overhead paths, cross-loaded gullies, and exposure to large start zones off Sir Donald and surrounding walls; route choice and timing matter from the first clearings onward. Higher up, the terrain opens into alpine bowls and broken rock around Perley Rock itself, with options to push onto glaciated ground toward the Illecillewaet Glacier and névé. That upper zone is crevassed and complex—full glacier kit, partners with rope skills, and a conservative plan are mandatory if you step onto the ice or roll over toward the névé. On the ski descent, you’re threading through cliff bands and convex rolls that are easy to misread in flat light. Keep mental notes on the way up, avoid blindly following old tracks toward the waterfall and cliff zones, and be ready to pull back to your ascent line if visibility or stability deteriorate. Perley Rock sits inside Glacier National Park, so Parks Canada passes, seasonal area closures, and winter permit systems for Rogers Pass avalanche control all apply—check current bulletins and maps before you go. Full daily avalanche forecasts for Rogers Pass are issued by Avalanche Canada; build your plan around those, not just the classic reputation of the line. For official info see Parks Canada .

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Cliffs

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North Terminal Peak

North Terminal Peak is a logical ski extension above Perley Rock in Glacier National Park’s Illecillewaet drainage. From the Illecillewaet parking, follow the Perley Rock summer trail corridor through forest and old avalanche paths, then trend onto the broad glaciated benches above Perley Rock toward the south-facing ramp that leads to the upper peak. The line is mostly south-facing alpine glacier terrain with a smooth, consistent fall line. Crevasses are present and can be well bridged mid-winter, but thin early or late season coverage makes them a serious hazard. Expect overhead exposure from seracs and cornices in spots, and watch for wind slab on cross-loaded rolls and in the upper basin. This zone lies inside Rogers Pass avalanche control terrain, so access is fully governed by the Glacier National Park Winter Permit System. You need a valid Winter Permit, Winter Parking Permit, and national park pass, and the relevant Winter Restricted/Unrestricted areas must be open on the day of your tour. Check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access interactive map and the avalanche bulletin before committing, and carry full glacier kit and crevasse rescue gear if you plan to travel on the glacier.

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Asulkan Valley Uptrack

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Asulkan Hut Uptrack

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Young's Peak Uptrack

Young's Peak Uptrack is a popular ski touring ascent line in the Asulkan drainage of Glacier National Park, used to access Youngs Peak and classic descents like Seven Steps of Paradise and the Forever Young Couloir. The line starts from the Asulkan side of Rogers Pass and climbs through forest and glades into alpine terrain above treeline, eventually tying into the upper glacier routes toward the summit. Once parked at Rogers Pass, follow the signed Asulkan Valley approach toward the Asulkan Hut, then branch onto the established uptrack that trends generally south and southwest, weaving through mature forest before breaking into more open terrain. The track roughly follows low-angle ribs and benches to minimize exposure to adjacent avalanche paths, but you are still travelling beneath large alpine start zones for much of the approach. Common hazards include overhead avalanche hazard from the Illecillewaet and Asulkan sidewalls, wind slab and storm slab development in the alpine, and crevasse and cornice issues higher on the Youngs Peak glaciated terrain. This zone sits in a continental–interior snowpack that can harbor persistent weak layers; daily consultation of the Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin and strict terrain management are mandatory. Parks Canada manages winter permit systems and occasional closures for highway avalanche control, so confirm current access, winter permits, and restricted areas with Parks Canada before touring. Ideal timing is mid-winter through spring when coverage is sufficient in the lower forest and the glacier is better bridged, with many parties targeting more settled spring snow for the upper Youngs Peak routes. Expect other groups on weekends and during high-pressure periods; standard uptracks are often well established but can change after storms or control work, so carry full navigation tools and be prepared to break your own trail. For current regulations, permits, and avalanche information, see Parks Canada’s Glacier National Park backcountry page: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park backcountry .

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Glacier Crest Uptrack

Glacier Crest Uptrack follows the summer Glacier Crest hiking trail from the Illecillewaet Valley up through dense forest toward the ridge between the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. From the Illecillewaet parking area you skin past the old Glacier House site, then pick up the signed Glacier Crest trail and follow it up the valley bottom before it breaks left and begins climbing steadily through mature forest. The uptrack stays mostly in tight trees and on the established summer path, with short steeper pitches and some braided sections higher up where previous traffic has cut variants through rocky openings. This line is used to access the Glacier Crest ridge for ski touring, where you can choose conservative turnaround points in the trees or continue toward more exposed alpine terrain depending on conditions and group comfort. This route lies inside Rogers Pass’ avalanche-control corridor, so winter access is governed by Parks Canada’s Winter Permit System. A valid Winter Permit, Winter Parking Permit, national park pass, and compliance with daily area openings are mandatory before leaving the parking lot. Expect artillery control closures, shifting open/closed boundaries, and strictly no travel into closed or prohibited zones; plan with the official Rogers Pass backcountry access map and current avalanche bulletin. Typical hazards include overhead avalanche paths above the forest, wind slab and storm slab in open glades and on the crest, and tree wells and buried obstacles in the lower forest. Ideal use is as a treed uptrack option in good stability, with careful terrain selection near and above treeline and conservative turnaround decisions when visibility, wind effect, or hazard don’t line up.

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Glacier Crest East Face

Glacier Crest East Face drops from the Glacier Crest ridge above the Illecillewaet side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. You’re skiing a big alpine face above mature timber with lots of rollovers and small ribs, not a mellow gladed lap, and it sits in one of the most avalanche-active corridors in the country. From the Illecillewaet trailhead, follow the Glacier Crest summer trail up through forest to treeline, then continue onto the broad crest. The east face line starts from the high ridge, usually off a corniced lip, and trends down toward the Illecillewaet valley, weaving between rock outcrops and micro-gullies before rejoining the lower-angled crest approach line back into the trees and the trail. Expect a large, planar alpine face with multiple convexities and pockets that load hard on storm and wind cycles. Cornices along the crest, cross-loaded ribs, and shallow rocky sections all add hangfire and trigger points, with terrain that quickly funnels into small gullies and depressions lower down. This is classic Rogers Pass avalanche terrain in a zone known for frequent natural  avalanches, so treat it as a full-value objective, not a side hit from the trail.

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Glacier Crest Northeast Couloir

Northeast-facing couloir dropping off the Glacier Crest ridge above the Illecillewaet side. You reach it from the Glacier Crest skin track: from the ridge, trend along the crest toward the Illecillewaet Glacier until the line comes into view, then pick the cleanest entrance through the cornice or wind lip. The walls are fairly tight, with short, steep rolls that can build soft pillows or stiff wind slab depending on recent weather. The entrance is the main crux. Cornices and wind-loading are common along this section of the crest, and the start often hangs above a convex roll. Dig and stomp right at the lip before you commit, and be honest about overhead hazard from the ridge. Once in, manage sluff carefully so you don’t get pushed into the sidewalls or down onto the morainal features lower down. The exit fans out beside and above old moraine ribs and gullies. These can turn into terrain traps if you drift too far skier’s left or right, especially in low coverage or during warm spells when the snow bridges thin. In lean conditions expect rocks and ice bulges; in fat conditions you get smoother, pillow-ish rolls but still with enough structure underneath to hurt if you tomahawk. This line sits inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass permit system. A Winter Permit is mandatory for any backcountry travel here, and daily area openings/closures change with avalanche control work. 

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Glacier Crest East Face Direct

Glacier Crest East Face Direct drops off the east side of Glacier Crest in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass), committing fall-line skiing on a true east aspect. Expect sustained steep alpine terrain with short rock bands and small cliff features that force you to pick a line rather than just drift. The ridge above often builds sizeable cornices that can hang over the start zones, so treat the lip with full respect and give it space when you’re scoping the entrance. From the Glacier Crest skin track, continue along the ridge until you can safely step down to a reasonable cornice break or wind feature and transition. Most parties drop one at a time from strong, obvious islands of safety, regrouping on lower benches where the face eases and the terrain opens. You can sometimes sneak between rock and cliff bands, but route-finding is serious; in poor visibility or firm conditions, many parties stick to mellower east-face options instead of this direct line. This face is heavily wind-affected: storm slabs, wind slabs, and stiff wind board are common after frontal systems, and the slope can turn into no-fall hardpack after warm–freeze cycles. Overhead cornice fall and small but high-consequence avalanches are the main hazards, with terrain traps in the mid-face gullies. It skis best with a well-settled snowpack, low hazard, and good visibility so you can read the micro-features and manage exposure.

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Lookout Col Uptrack

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Lookout Uptrack

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Lookout Couloir #1

Lookout Couloir #1 is one of three NW-facing lines dropping off the west ridge above the Ravens area in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass). You’re skiing in a fully alpine start zone with exposure to overhead hazard and frequent wind loading from prevailing SW–W flow. Expect cross-loaded pockets and stiff wind board rather than hero pow after any significant wind event. From the Ravens side, skin or boot up into the obvious NW couloir system on the west ridge. The western two slots usually hold a more continuous, cleaner snow surface; Lookout Couloir #1 and the easternmost option often show more rock ribs and water-ice patches, especially in lean periods or after warm spells. Cornices can build along the ridge lip—give the edge a wide berth on the climb and pick a safe, supported entry. The descent skis fall-line at first, then forces you onto a traverse back skier’s right to reconnect with the lower Ravens terrain. That traverse can be thin, rocky, and sidewind-scoured; plan your line from below so you don’t get cliffed or funneled into terrain traps. This whole zone is classic Rogers Pass avalanche terrain: manage overhead paths, watch for wind slab over facets in the upper start zones, and respect rapid loading during storms. Check current avalanche and access info before heading out via Parks Canada and Avalanche Canada. Glacier National Park has seasonal closures, restricted areas, and permit requirements for winter backcountry travel in the Rogers Pass area; make sure your route and timing comply. More info: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Lookout Couloir #2

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Lookout Col

Lookout Col sits between the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys in Glacier National Park, and is commonly used as a ski touring link into the Ravens from the Illecillewaet side. From the col, the south side drops toward Lookout Bowl and the Ravens terrain, while the north side rolls back toward the Illecillewaet moraines. Once you are comfortable with the terrain and navigation, it’s a clean connector between two major Rogers Pass drainages. Parks Canada classifies Lookout Col as Complex avalanche terrain under the ATES system, reflecting multiple overlapping paths, large start zones and serious consequences. The south side drains into a confined gully system that behaves like an avalanche gully, with exposure to overhead hazard from the surrounding bowls and moraines. In poor visibility it is easy to trend too far skier’s left and get funneled toward the wrong drainage and the big icefall that drops into the Asulkan Valley—do not follow that fall line. From the col, most parties aiming for the Ravens trend into Lookout Bowl and then out toward the lower-angle Ravens trees, staying alert for wind loading and convex rolls above the gully. Conservative navigation means managing overhead hazard, avoiding the obvious gully floor, and using ribs and higher benches where possible. Treat this as serious alpine terrain that demands stable conditions, clear visibility, and solid group decision-making rather than a casual shortcut between valleys.

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Ravens Uptrack

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Lower Ravens Uptrack

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Lookout Col North

A classic Rogers Pass tour: scenic, generally mellow on the climb, then a little sharper near the col where rollovers and exposure start to matter. As you close in on the col, keep an eye on cornice terrain—this is not the place for casual wandering under pillows.

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Lookout Couloir #3

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Lookout Couloir #4

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Ravens #1

Ravens are Rogers Pass storm line dropping toward the Asulkan side, usually skied when visibility is poor and the alpine is nuked. Expect a mix of open glades and short, steeper rolls with some small benches; the upper start is more exposed to wind effect, while the lower fans hold the best quality snow once the pack is well settled and deep. From the Asulkan parking, follow the Asulkan Valley skintrack, then branch toward the Ravens ridge as per current local uptrack. The descent line is obvious once you are on the feature, but it feeds into terrain that can feel committing in poor light, so track your entry carefully on the way up and avoid blindly chasing other people’s skintrack without your own terrain picture. This slope sits in classic Rogers Pass avalanche terrain with overhead start zones and cross-loading from prevailing winds. Watch for wind slab on convex rolls, thin spots around small trees and rocks, and the potential to be pushed into lower gully features that can act as terrain traps. Treat the “tracked = safe” illusion with suspicion; stability can change fast here during and right after storms. Ravens #1 lies inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Annual or Daily Winter Permit, respect daily area openings/closures, and park only in designated winter parking signed by Parks Canada. Check the Rogers Pass bulletin, Winter Permit map, and daily updates before committing to the tour, and carry full avalanche rescue gear plus the usual Rogers Pass margin for weather and visibility. More info: Parks Canada – Rogers Pass winter permits .

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Ravens #2

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Dagobah System

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Young's Peak Traverse

Young’s Peak Traverse is a committing ski-mountaineering linkup on the south side of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, touring glaciated alpine terrain around Youngs Peak and the Illecillewaet/Asulkan headwaters. Expect long, exposed ridge travel and big, open faces with complex route-finding that changes with snowpack and visibility. This is not an entry-level Rogers Pass tour; parties need solid glacier travel skills, efficient transitions, and the fitness for a full-value day. Typical approaches use the Illecillewaet or Asulkan drainages to gain the Youngs Glacier and the upper ridge system. Once you leave the valley skintrack you are in sustained avalanche terrain with few sheltered options; the traverse strings together alpine bowls, rolls, and short steeper pitches with overhead exposure from surrounding faces and corniced ridges. Many parties stage from the Asulkan Hut to shorten the day and give more margin for weather and stability. Common hazards include wind loading on the Youngs Glacier and upper ridges, large cornices along the crest, and terrain traps where the line drops back into the Asulkan drainage. Steeper sections can reach serious ski-mountaineering angles; firm conditions or thin cover over glacial ice can turn these into no-fall zones. Crevasse hazard is present anywhere on the glacier, especially late season or after wind-scouring, so ropework and real crevasse rescue competence are standard kit, not decoration. Ideal timing is a solid mid-winter to early-spring snowpack with settled storm cycles, good overnight freezes, and a conservative avalanche forecast. Many parties aim for cold, dry powder on shaded aspects and avoid strong solar or rapid warming that can light up the big alpine faces and overhead seracs. Always check current Rogers Pass winter access rules, permits, and daily avalanche control closures with Parks Canada before you go; the traverse crosses terrain that can be affected by highway control work and seasonal zoning.

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Forever Young Couloir

North-facing couloir dropping off Youngs Peak into the Asulkan drainage in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. From the Asulkan trailhead, skin up the valley toward Asulkan Hut, then break climber’s right toward the Illecillewaet–Youngs glacier system and gain the obvious north cirque below Youngs Peak. The line is a straight, enclosed gully with a clean fall line that spits you back toward the main Asulkan exit. Terrain is full-on alpine: glaciated approach with crevasse hazard, overhead seracs in places, and a steep, confined start zone. The entrance is usually obvious but rolls over with a convexity, so you’re committing as soon as you tip in. Typical reports describe sustained steep skiing with serious consequence for a fall, and Parks Canada has documented at least one fatal fall in adjacent cirque terrain near Forever Young—slips here are not trivial. Common problems are wind loading at the top, touchy storm slabs over old hard surfaces, and sluff that can pile up fast in the choke. The north aspect preserves cold snow but also keeps weak layers alive; many parties treat this as a true high-stability objective. Time it for a solid overnight freeze, low hazard in alpine start zones, and good visibility so you can read the overhead hazard and the runout.

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7 Steps of Paradise

7 Steps of Paradise is a classic glaciated ski descent off Youngs Peak in the Asulkan Valley of Rogers Pass, within Glacier National Park of Canada. Most parties stage from the Asulkan Hut, then climb through the upper glacier and headwall to reach the summit cone before dropping the broad north-facing ramp and its seven rolling “steps” back toward the valley. Terrain is big, open alpine with glaciated features and a series of convex rolls. Expect wind-affected snow, cross-loading around the upper ridge, and cornices along the Youngs Peak crest. Several steps run in the 30–35° range, with clear avalanche potential on the convexities and overhead hazard from the headwall above. Crevasses on the Asulkan Glacier and around the approach to the summit cone are a real concern in lean years or late season. From the Asulkan Hut, you skin up through the Tree Triangle or upper Asulkan Valley, then gain the glacier and climb the headwall toward Youngs Peak, usually following an established skintrack when traffic is high. The ascent finishes with steeper, more exposed terrain near the summit cone before you traverse to the top of the line. The descent follows the obvious fall line down the seven rolls, then rejoins lower-angle glacier and valley terrain for a straightforward exit back toward the hut and trail. This is advanced ski-mountaineering terrain: you need solid glacier travel skills, avalanche rescue competence, and good visibility for safe navigation. Watch for wind slabs on the convex rolls, manage spacing between partners, and be deliberate about regroup spots out of runout zones. Ideal timing is a stable mid-winter to early-spring snowpack with clear weather and low hazard; avoid the route in poor visibility or during active storm or warm-up cycles when the headwall and rolls are primed to slide. Access, permits, and seasonal closures are managed by Parks Canada under the Rogers Pass winter permit system; check current area openings, avalanche control closures, and hut booking details before committing. Parks Canada – Glacier National Park

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Northeast Cirque

A neat alpine feature, but it’s not a guaranteed “five-star” ski top-to-bottom. The lower section is usually where the smiles happen; the upper often shows up firm, wind-worked, or just kinda… meh. Keep an eye out for water ice, and treat the convex rollover with respect—it can act like a little slab launcher when conditions are touchy. There’s also a small, cruxy step down low that you’ll need to negotiate before it opens up again.

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Pterodactyl

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Young's Peak

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Prendergull East

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Prendergully West

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Tree Triangle

Tree Triangle sits immediately above the Asulkan Hut in Glacier National Park and is formally rated “Complex – Class 3” avalanche terrain under the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale. This is not a mellow hut-side warmup: expect overlapping paths, exposure to overhead start zones, and terrain that demands full winter permit compliance, current avalanche bulletin, and a conservative group mindset. From the hut, the line is a short skin into steep, tight trees that ski more like a confined feature than a full run. The glades are narrow with limited options to open it up, and small route-finding errors can push you into steeper rolls or terrain traps. Treat every lap as serious avalanche terrain with careful spacing, regrouping only in well-sheltered islands of safety away from the fall line. Tree Triangle is highly conditions-dependent. It gets hammered quickly in good weather, and after storms the combination of wind effect, cross-loading from the surrounding alpine, and the confined forest can turn it into breakable, slabby, or unskiable mess. Best days are with a right-side-up snowpack, moderate hazard, and enough visibility to read micro-features; avoid it when hazard is elevated or when wind slabs are building above the hut.

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Lily Dome Traverse

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Dome Uptrack

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Mousetrap

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Thorington Route

The Thorington Route drops from the Jupiter Traverse ridge into the Asulkan side of Rogers Pass, a steep glaciated face with a big convex roll and complex crevasse pattern. It is serious ski‑mountaineering terrain, usually linked after tagging Castor, Pollux and Leda, when legs and brains are already tired. From the ridge you transition on exposed ground, often with cornices and pockets of wind slab right at the breakover. The upper pitch rolls over quickly and feels blind; strong route‑finding is needed to stay away from crevasse fields and hanging seracs, and to avoid getting funneled into terrain traps lower down. This is not a place to be feeling out stability—arrive with a solid read on the snowpack and a conservative plan. The line skis best in cold, settled winter snow or in a well‑frozen spring cycle; solar input and wind can turn the surface into a mix of powder, crust and ice, and make any fall hard to arrest. Parties commonly trend towards the long moraine that borders the Mousetrap to exit, then work back out the Asulkan drainage to the Illecillewaet lot. Expect full glacier kit, efficient transitions, and guide‑exam‑style decision making from ridge to valley.

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Asulkan Glacier

Asulkan Glacier sits above the Asulkan Valley in Glacier National Park of Canada, reached from the Asulkan trailhead at Rogers Pass. From the hut basin you trend south and southeast onto the broad glacier, weaving between obvious crevasse fields and aiming for the upper benches below the Asulkan Ridge and Dome. The terrain is mostly open alpine with rolling convexities and a few steeper rolls that hide slots until you are on top of them. The glacier is heavily crevassed with complex bridges, especially later in the season and after wind events. Expect transverse cracks, sagging bridges around old tracks, and some large slots running parallel to the main fall line. Whiteout navigation is serious here; most parties use harnesses, ropes, and crevasse rescue kits standard rather than optional. Watch for overhead hazard from cornices and serac-like ice features along the flanks. Best skiing usually comes with a solid overnight freeze, recent snowfall without major wind loading, and at least decent visibility to read the crevasse patterns. Early and mid-winter often give cleaner coverage but still demand full glacier travel protocol; spring brings faster travel but more open cracks and weaker bridges in the afternoon. Parks Canada avalanche bulletins and access notices should be checked daily, as control work and closures around Rogers Pass can shut down approaches or delay starts. Once back at the hut basin or valley floor, exit follows the Asulkan Valley back to the trailhead, with fast rolling terrain that can feel long on the way out. Keep an eye out for flagged routes and summer trail sections to avoid creek holes and small terrain traps in the lower forest. For current conditions, closures, and avalanche control information, see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Jupiter Traverse

The Jupiter Traverse is a serious ski-mountaineering linkup above Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, crossing the three summits of Mount Jupiter—Castor, Pollux and Leda—on a long, exposed alpine ridge. Most parties start from the Illecillewaet parking area and skin up the Asulkan drainage past the Mousetrap to the Asulkan Glacier, then climb to Sapphire Col and the small Sapphire Col Hut before committing to the ridge. From Sapphire Col the route becomes full-value: bootpacks and short skis along a narrow, corniced crest with big exposure on both sides and complex micro-terrain between the three peaks. The standard finish drops the Thorington Route, a steep glaciated face with a large convex roll and crevasse hazard that demands stable conditions, strong group management and solid steep-skiing skills. A more conservative out-and-back or continuation toward Asulkan Pass avoids the Thorington but still keeps you in serious alpine terrain. Expect heavily wind-affected snow, overhead cornice hazard and frequent wind slabs along the ridge, with crevasses and serac debris on the glacier approaches and exits. This is not an entry-level Rogers Pass tour: teams should be comfortable with glacier travel, booting and skiing in no-fall terrain, and making conservative calls when visibility or stability deteriorate. The traverse lies inside Glacier National Park’s Winter Permit System; check daily area openings, avalanche bulletins and any closures before leaving the lot, and carry the required permits and maps. For current access, winter permits and avalanche information, see Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass ski touring page: parks.canada.ca .

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Cleaver

Cleaver is a popular ski descent from Sapphire Col into the Dome Glacier basin in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The line drops off the col into broad glaciated terrain with several convex rolls and broken ice below, so treat it as full-on glacier travel from the first turn. From Sapphire Col, trend down into the obvious fall line toward the Dome basin, staying well away from the steeper, cliffy ground skiers’ left and any serac or crevasse fields that show up as sagging or blue ice. The safest option is usually the most direct, mellow-looking line through the rolls rather than hunting for extra steepness on the margins. Common problems here are wind slab on the lee side of the col, thinly bridged crevasses around convexities, and poor visibility that makes the rolls and slots hard to read. This zone sits in the Rogers Pass winter permit area, so you must check the daily permit map and avalanche bulletin before dropping in, and carry full glacier kit plus a solid navigation plan for getting back out of the Dome basin. Full Rogers Pass winter permit, maps, and avalanche terrain ratings: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Triangle Moraine

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Triangle Moraine

Triangle Moraine here is mostly a low-angle connector used to link higher alpine terrain back toward the main exit. Expect a broad, rolling moraine with subtle benches rather than a defined fall-line run, and plan your line to avoid unnecessary sidehilling and poling. From the upper moraine, trend down along the shallow ridge toward the tracked exit rather than dropping off either side into steeper gullies. The surface often gets hammered by traffic and wind, so you’re more likely to find refrozen chop, sastrugi, or thin breakable crust than soft snow. In firm conditions it can feel like an icy traverse with awkward micro-rolls rather than a fun descent. Use it when you need an efficient way out, not as a primary objective. In poor visibility, keep a tight handle on navigation—there are few strong terrain features, and it’s easy to drift off the intended line and end up sidehilling or climbing back to the track. If coverage is thin or the exit is heavily rutted, be ready for a slow, survival-ski slog back to the main route.

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The Dome

The Dome headwall sits above the Asulkan Valley in Glacier National Park, within the Rogers Pass winter permit system. From the Asulkan parking and trailhead, you skin up the main Asulkan Valley route toward the Dome Glacier basin, then trend toward the obvious upper face. Expect complex alpine terrain with broken rock bands and hanging features rather than a simple planar slope. The line is a steep alpine face with a pronounced headwall, cliffs and pillows, and real overhead hazard. Parties typically wait for a deep, well-bridged snowpack and strong stability before committing; thin coverage or touchy slabs turn this into a terrain-trap tour with high consequence for any mistake. Wind loading and cross-loading are common, and sluff management matters once you drop in. This is not a first-season Rogers Pass objective. Strong route-finding, glacier travel skills for the approach options, and comfort skiing sustained steep terrain are mandatory. Many locals treat it as a rare “conditions line” rather than a regular lap—if you are unsure, there are plenty of safer options in the Asulkan drainage. Ski touring here is subject to Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System and daily avalanche control closures; always confirm current access, permitted routes, and avalanche bulletins before leaving the lot. Full details and maps are on Parks Canada’s ski touring page: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass) .

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The Dome Headwall

The Dome headwall sits above the Asulkan Valley in Glacier National Park, within the Rogers Pass winter permit system. From the Asulkan parking and trailhead, you skin up the main Asulkan Valley route toward the Dome Glacier basin, then trend toward the obvious upper face. Expect complex alpine terrain with broken rock bands and hanging features rather than a simple planar slope. The line is a steep alpine face with a pronounced headwall, cliffs and pillows, and real overhead hazard. Parties typically wait for a deep, well-bridged snowpack and strong stability before committing; thin coverage or touchy slabs turn this into a terrain-trap tour with high consequence for any mistake. Wind loading and cross-loading are common, and sluff management matters once you drop in. This is not a first-season Rogers Pass objective. Strong route-finding, glacier travel skills for the approach options, and comfort skiing sustained steep terrain are mandatory. Many locals treat it as a rare “conditions line” rather than a regular lap—if you are unsure, there are plenty of safer options in the Asulkan drainage. Ski touring here is subject to Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System and daily avalanche control closures; always confirm current access, permitted routes, and avalanche bulletins before leaving the lot. Full details and maps are on Parks Canada’s ski touring page: Parks Canada – Ski touring in Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass) .

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Mushroom People

Mushroom People is a dense pillow zone on the east face of Mount Abbott in the Asulkan Valley, Rogers Pass. You’re skiing steep, convex terrain with tight trees and big mushroomed boulders, so treat it as full-value avalanche terrain, not a side hit. The line sits above Asulkan Creek and is commonly linked with laps in the Rampart Bowl / Triangle Moraine area. From the Asulkan Valley skintrack, most parties branch toward Rampart Bowl, then cut toward the obvious pillow fields, using the trees between slide paths for an uptrack. Expect short, punchy laps with fast fall-line skiing and frequent sluffing; manage your islands of safety and don’t let the playful pillows pull you too far onto unsupported rolls. In thin or wind-affected snowpacks, exposure ramps up quickly with rocks, holes between boulders, and terrain traps between pillow stacks. This zone lies inside Glacier National Park’s winter permit system. Check the daily Winter Restricted Area status, avalanche forecast, and any artillery closures before you leave the lot, and carry the required permit if your route crosses a restricted polygon. When bombing or overhead hazard shuts down bigger objectives in the valley, locals often default to Mushroom People—but the slope is still steep, convex, and capable of producing consequential avalanches. Full avy kit, conservative group management, and current info from Parks Canada are mandatory. Parks Canada avalanche & winter permit info .

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Mushroom People Uptrack

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The Dome Direct

The obvious “point it straight down” choice—the headwall everyone naturally gravitates toward. That popularity makes sense, but it also funnels risk into one corridor. A deeper snowpack usually makes it ski better and cover up the weirdness, but you still need solid stability and tight line discipline. This is a routefinding run: pick the right lane and it’s a great descent; drift off-line and you can quickly end up staring at cliffs you didn’t mean to meet.

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Abbott East Face

One of Abbott’s standouts: a clean fall-line face that really comes alive once there’s a proper base. The day is refreshingly direct—straightforward climb, straightforward descent—but the terrain is still serious. Cornices and cliff bands are the main things you’ll be managing, not complicated navigation.

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Southeast Couloir West

A clean, no-drama couloir that’s often the “friendlier” way into the zone. From the summit it’s a quick scramble onto the south ridge, then you’re basically at the drop-in. When it’s filled in with good snow, it skis like a dream. When it’s firm or rough, it turns into a leg-burner that feels like earned turns.

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Southeast Couloir East

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Abbot Path 1 (South)

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Abbot Col

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Abbot West Face

A quality line with a strict requirement: it usually needs a deep base before it really “goes.” When it’s properly filled in, it delivers a very rewarding west-face descent. When it’s thin, the experience flips—more negotiating rocks and terrain features than actually skiing.

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Abbot Path 3 (North)

Shorter lines, but they get spicy quickly: cornices, crevasses, and awkward sections can show up almost immediately. They’ve gotten popular as storm laps lately, but the vibe is still very much “advanced terrain, close to a prohibited area.” Stay sharp, pick conservative lanes, and keep the whole thing disciplined—this isn’t the zone for casual shortcuts or loose line choices.

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Abbot Path 2 (Center)

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Mount Abbot Uptrack

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Mount Afton Uptrack

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Ross Pillow Uptrack

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Ross Pillow 2

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Cougar Creek East 1

Cougar Creek East is a serious avalanche path on the northeast ridge of Ross Peak in Glacier National Park, accessed via the Ross Peak Designated Access Route from Loop Brook parking. From the winter lot, follow the signed designated route across Loop Brook and along the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway until you are allowed to leave the corridor, then trend up toward the summer road on the west side of the highway bridge at Loop Brook. From there, pick up the summer road and begin ascending the ridge above the valley. Once on the ridge, many parties stick to the ridge crest for the ascent. Travel is generally straightforward until around 1,600 m, where you need to contour on the north side to bypass a short steep step before regaining the ridge. Above this, stay alert to the large drop and cornices on skier’s left toward the main Cougar Creek path; keep your skin track well back from the edge and manage regroup spots carefully, especially in poor visibility or during wind-loading events. Most skiers transition and drop from near treeline where the path opens, but you can push higher for a longer, more committing line. The higher you climb, the more exposure you take on and the more consequential any mistake or avalanche becomes. At the mid-path bench, the skier’s-left side of the eastern branch usually skis cleaner and is the standard choice; with a deep, well-settled snowpack, either side of either branch can be used, but in a lean year this line is bony, more technical, and best avoided until coverage is solid. This is full-on avalanche terrain with a history of skier-triggered slides in the treeline section, including injuries. Expect overhead hazard, wind slab, and terrain traps in the mid-path gully features. Use current Glacier National Park winter permit info, the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale mapping, and the daily avalanche bulletin to decide if this path is in condition. Exit by continuing down the path to the valley floor and following the Ross Peak Designated Access Route back along the Illecillewaet and the south side of the highway to Loop Brook parking. For current access rules and maps, see Parks Canada .

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Cougar Creek East 2

Cougar Creek East is a serious avalanche path on the northeast ridge of Ross Peak in Glacier National Park, accessed via the Ross Peak Designated Access Route from Loop Brook parking. From the winter lot, follow the signed designated route across Loop Brook and along the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway until you are allowed to leave the corridor, then trend up toward the summer road on the west side of the highway bridge at Loop Brook. From there, pick up the summer road and begin ascending the ridge above the valley. Once on the ridge, many parties stick to the ridge crest for the ascent. Travel is generally straightforward until around 1,600 m, where you need to contour on the north side to bypass a short steep step before regaining the ridge. Above this, stay alert to the large drop and cornices on skier’s left toward the main Cougar Creek path; keep your skin track well back from the edge and manage regroup spots carefully, especially in poor visibility or during wind-loading events. Most skiers transition and drop from near treeline where the path opens, but you can push higher for a longer, more committing line. The higher you climb, the more exposure you take on and the more consequential any mistake or avalanche becomes. At the mid-path bench, the skier’s-left side of the eastern branch usually skis cleaner and is the standard choice; with a deep, well-settled snowpack, either side of either branch can be used, but in a lean year this line is bony, more technical, and best avoided until coverage is solid. This is full-on avalanche terrain with a history of skier-triggered slides in the treeline section, including injuries. Expect overhead hazard, wind slab, and terrain traps in the mid-path gully features. Use current Glacier National Park winter permit info, the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale mapping, and the daily avalanche bulletin to decide if this path is in condition. Exit by continuing down the path to the valley floor and following the Ross Peak Designated Access Route back along the Illecillewaet and the south side of the highway to Loop Brook parking. For current access rules and maps, see Parks Canada .

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Sapphire Col Traverse

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Lily Glacier To Dome Col

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Mount Swanzy Uptrack

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Tuzo Couloir

Tuzo Couloir is a serious ski-mountaineering line dropping from the summit area of Swanzy toward the glacier between Swanzy and Clarke. The line is a steep, enclosed couloir with large cornices guarding the entrance and a bergschrund at the base, with the run finishing on heavily crevassed glacier terrain. From the Swanzy summit ridge you usually enter from the skier’s right (east) side of the couloir; a more committing variation has been skied by sneaking in from the west side when cornice structure allows. In lean or wind-stripped conditions it may be impossible to find a safe entrance, and parties have used a short rappel to get past the cornice and into the gut. The line is highly condition-dependent. Massive cornices overhang the start and the couloir is prone to wind loading, with consequential exposure above the bergschrund and the broken glacier below. A deep, well-bonded snowpack is required to cover the schrund and smooth the runout. Expect complex glacier travel both on the approach and exit, with open slots and thin bridges late season. Most parties combine the Tuzo with other big lines in the basin, commonly linking with a descent from Clarke Peak when stability, visibility, and energy all line up. Treat it as a full-value alpine objective: early start, conservative overhead hazard assessment, and a hard no-go if cornices, wind slab, or the schrund look suspect.

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Ross Pass Uptrack

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Exposed rock

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Ross Path

Ross Peak Path is one of those “Rogers Pass legend” lines: roughly 1,600 m of vertical from the summit, with a big, committing feel even though the path itself is often described as intermediate. The catch is the Ross Pass traverse —that approach can turn the day into a real ski-mountaineering mission and is easy to underestimate. In stable conditions, many parties simplify the whole thing by ascending via the Ross Peak Path/Designated Access Route , then skiing the line, avoiding the Ross Pass + summit complexities (while accepting the usual avalanche-path hazards of climbing the run itself). From Ross Pass, the ridge is typically broad and wind-blown , and the summit drop can be the crux: manage south-side cornices while working around the upper cliff band (often passed skier’s right/south near the ridge). Depending on coverage, that band might be a quick scratch past rocks or might demand a short rappel . Once you’re on the main face it opens into a huge, classic descent. The lower section can funnel into a steep, confined gully where water ice can appear—many teams avoid the worst of it by favoring skier’s left / west side through the lower terrain.

skitour

Bonney Moraine Uptrack

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Mount Swanzy Southeast Face

Mount Swanzy sits in Glacier National Park above Rogers Pass, in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia. The southeast face drops toward the Illecillewaet side, with access typically starting from the highway corridor and working up through mature forest into glaciated alpine terrain around the Swanzy and Bonney icefields. Expect classic Rogers Pass relief: fast transition from tight trees to open alpine bowls and broken glacier. The southeast face is a high alpine line with exposure to overhead seracs and cornices from the Swanzy and adjacent glaciers, plus large avalanche paths that run full length to valley floor. Wind loading from prevailing westerlies can build stiff slabs over weaker snow on this aspect, especially after storms or during rapid warming. Crevasses and hidden slots appear quickly once you leave the obvious ribs and moraines, so glacier travel skills and a rope kit are standard, not optional. This zone lies inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Winter Permit and daily area authorization before leaving the plowed parking areas, and your route must stay within open polygons for that day; closures shift regularly for artillery control work above the highway and railway. Check the daily permit map, avalanche bulletin, and weather before committing, and be ready to change objectives if the Swanzy sector is closed or sitting in a touchy hazard pattern. Best use is mid‑winter to early spring when the snowpack has bridged early-season hazards but before strong solar turns the southeast face into a wet‑slide factory. Aim for cold, clear high‑pressure windows with light winds and good overnight refreeze. Treat this as serious ski mountaineering terrain: strong partners, conservative terrain choices, and tight communication about overhead hazard and glacier features will matter more than squeezing in one more lap. For current access rules and maps, see Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Mount Swanzy Southeast Face 2

Mount Swanzy sits in Glacier National Park above Rogers Pass, in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia. The southeast face drops toward the Illecillewaet side, with access typically starting from the highway corridor and working up through mature forest into glaciated alpine terrain around the Swanzy and Bonney icefields. Expect classic Rogers Pass relief: fast transition from tight trees to open alpine bowls and broken glacier. The southeast face is a high alpine line with exposure to overhead seracs and cornices from the Swanzy and adjacent glaciers, plus large avalanche paths that run full length to valley floor. Wind loading from prevailing westerlies can build stiff slabs over weaker snow on this aspect, especially after storms or during rapid warming. Crevasses and hidden slots appear quickly once you leave the obvious ribs and moraines, so glacier travel skills and a rope kit are standard, not optional. This zone lies inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass Winter Permit System. You must hold a valid Winter Permit and daily area authorization before leaving the plowed parking areas, and your route must stay within open polygons for that day; closures shift regularly for artillery control work above the highway and railway. Check the daily permit map, avalanche bulletin, and weather before committing, and be ready to change objectives if the Swanzy sector is closed or sitting in a touchy hazard pattern. Best use is mid‑winter to early spring when the snowpack has bridged early-season hazards but before strong solar turns the southeast face into a wet‑slide factory. Aim for cold, clear high‑pressure windows with light winds and good overnight refreeze. Treat this as serious ski mountaineering terrain: strong partners, conservative terrain choices, and tight communication about overhead hazard and glacier features will matter more than squeezing in one more lap. For current access rules and maps, see Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

skitour

Leda West Uptrack

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Clark Southeast face

Clark’s southeast face is a short, pyramidal panel dropping off the Swanzy Glacier zone, with a clean fall line and enough relief to link fast, sweeping turns. The line runs from the upper glacier shoulder down into lower-angle terrain, so you get a sustained pitch that eases off naturally without forcing you into tight terrain traps. From the Swanzy side, skin mellow glacier benches, then trend toward the obvious SE-facing wall. Gain the face from the glacier via the broadest, least broken ramp, giving crevasse slots and rollovers a wide berth. Most parties boot the upper section once it steepens and the snow firms, then transition on the small shoulder just below the skyline. The skiing is straightforward in stable snow, but the north side of the ridge builds huge cornices that can overhang the SE face near the top. Stay well back from the crest on both the ascent and transition, and avoid stopping under any overhung sections. Watch for wind slab from prevailing W–NW winds, especially where the face rolls convex off the glacier, and manage exposure so a small slide does not push you toward any lower crevasse features.

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Bonney Southeast Face

Bonney’s southeast face drops off the summit into big, glaciated alpine terrain above the Clarke Glacier in Glacier National Park, BC. The line runs on a southeast aspect with open alpine slopes broken by crevasse fields and rolls that can easily hide bridges and slots. It skis best in settled winter or early spring snow with strong overnight freezes and a solid, well-bridged snowpack; anything lean turns the crevasse terrain traps into the main problem, not the steepness. Most parties reach the face via Mount Swanzy, linking glacier travel over the Bonney and Clarke systems. From the upper ridge, manage cornices carefully when you pick your drop-in, then thread between obvious crevasses on the upper face before opening it up lower down. With good stability you can continue well down the Clarke Glacier, but expect to bob and weave around large slots and avoid sagging bridges. This is serious ski-mountaineering terrain: full glacier kit, strong route-finding, and conservative timing around solar input are mandatory. The face sits inside Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass winter permit system, with frequent artillery control and rolling closures over the Bonney area. Before you go, you need to understand the daily permit map, current closures, and avalanche forecast, and carry the required winter permit if you plan to tour from the highway corridor. Check current access, closures, and avalanche information with Parks Canada before committing to this line. For official information see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

skitour

Bonney Traverse

Bonney Traverse is a Rogers Pass ski tour linking the Bonney Glacier side of the highway to the Hanging Glacier basin, in the Bonney Group of Glacier National Park, BC. It sits west of the Asulkan Group and north of the Trans‑Canada Highway, in classic Selkirk glaciated terrain with big overhead ice and serac hazard from the Bonney and Hanging Glaciers. Expect complex routefinding across broken moraines, rolls, and short steeper pitches rather than a simple up‑and‑down lap. From the highway parking on the Bonney side, skin up through mature forest and moraines toward the Bonney Glacier, following established uptracks that trend into open glades and then into more open alpine terrain. The traverse typically works across the moraines and lower glacier benches toward the Hanging Glacier basin, with options to tag short north and east facing shots along the way before committing to the full linkup. Parties often use this as a through‑tour between Bonney laps and Hanging Glacier laps rather than a simple out‑and‑back. Terrain is a mix of glades, broken moraines, and low‑angle glacier benches with short steeper rolls. Overhead hazard from seracs and cornices is the main concern, along with cross‑loaded features and wind slab on convexities. The line crosses active avalanche paths that run full‑path from the Bonney and Hanging Glaciers, so it is generally a mid‑winter to early spring objective in a settled snowpack and stable hazard. Treat it as serious glacier terrain: crevasse rescue kit, harnesses, and the skills to use them are standard. You are inside Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass winter permit system. A daily winter permit or annual permit, plus a national park pass, is mandatory for most ski touring here, and some slopes above the highway are periodically closed for artillery control. Check the Parks Canada Rogers Pass avalanche terrain ratings, daily avalanche bulletin, and winter permit map before committing to the Bonney Traverse, and be ready to adjust plans if the Bonney artillery control zones are active. Full details and current closures: Parks Canada – Skiing and Snowboarding at Rogers Pass .

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Parson Uptrack

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Hanging Glacier direct

Hanging Glacier drops off the north side of Mount Bonney above the Loop Brook drainage in Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, BC. The line sits on heavily crevassed glaciated terrain with a complex lower face, including an icefall, a bergschrund, and open crevasses on the lower glacier. The west rib forms the boundary between this route and the rest of Bonney’s north face, with large cliff bands between the main Hanging Glacier options. Access is via the Bonney Glacier zone above Loop Brook, starting from the Rogers Pass winter parking and permit system. Once you’ve gained the upper glacier and the west rib, you’re in full alpine terrain with no easy outs; parties typically build a solid anchor on the ridge and manage the overhanging cornice before committing. Expect to deal with some of the largest cornices in Rogers Pass and plan for a short rappel to get onto the face after cornice control. The entrance is extremely steep, with sections approaching true ski-mountaineering angles depending on the season. From the top, you follow a natural trough down the main gut, then choose either a right-hand continuation down the central face or a left-hand exit through steep gullies. The lower face funnels into the icefall and then the bergschrund at the toe of the glacier, so routefinding and timing are critical to avoid overhead hazard and exposure to seracs. This is serious glaciated ski terrain requiring advanced ski-mountaineering skills, glacier travel and crevasse rescue competence, and full avalanche and cornice management. A deep, well-settled snowpack is essential to cover glacier ice and features on the lower face. 

skitour

Boney Moraine Uptrack

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Bonney Moraines #1

Bonney Moraines sits in Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass permit area, so you need a valid Parks Canada winter permit, winter parking permit, and national park pass before leaving the lot. Check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map each morning to confirm Loop Brook / Bonney is open and under which permit type, and read the daily avalanche bulletin before committing to the Loop Brook terrain trap and the overhead hazard from Ross Peak and surrounding paths. From the Elephant’s Trunk skintrack, continue south into the forest, trending skier’s right (west) whenever you hit steeper rolls to the east. The uptrack gains a broad, mellow ridge around treeline and then weaves through open forest to the base of the eastern moraine. Once on the moraines, laps are short and intuitive, with multiple low-complexity up and down options that are easy to scope as you go, but wind effect from the Bonney Glacier can turn the surface into hard slab or sastrugi. The approach up Loop Brook is a classic terrain trap with big artillery-controlled paths overhead; do not linger in the gut and avoid regrouping under start zones. Exits ski best on the west end via open avalanche paths that demand solid stability and awareness of other groups above you. An alternative is to cut across the creek around treeline and traverse into the Ross Peak path, but that line crosses steep, consequential slopes with serious overhead exposure and should be treated as full-value avalanche terrain, not a shortcut. Bonney Moraines is often sold as an “easy” tour, but conditions dictate everything: frozen debris, hard wind board, or deep ruts can make both the climb and descent awkward and serious. The forest below the moraines is tight and skis poorly in marginal coverage, so most parties plan on multiple laps up high and then pick the cleanest west-side exit they can see. For current permit rules, closures, and the daily access map, start at Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Boney Moraines #2

Bonney Moraines sits in Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass permit area, so you need a valid Parks Canada winter permit, winter parking permit, and national park pass before leaving the lot. Check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map each morning to confirm Loop Brook / Bonney is open and under which permit type, and read the daily avalanche bulletin before committing to the Loop Brook terrain trap and the overhead hazard from Ross Peak and surrounding paths. From the Elephant’s Trunk skintrack, continue south into the forest, trending skier’s right (west) whenever you hit steeper rolls to the east. The uptrack gains a broad, mellow ridge around treeline and then weaves through open forest to the base of the eastern moraine. Once on the moraines, laps are short and intuitive, with multiple low-complexity up and down options that are easy to scope as you go, but wind effect from the Bonney Glacier can turn the surface into hard slab or sastrugi. The approach up Loop Brook is a classic terrain trap with big artillery-controlled paths overhead; do not linger in the gut and avoid regrouping under start zones. Exits ski best on the west end via open avalanche paths that demand solid stability and awareness of other groups above you. An alternative is to cut across the creek around treeline and traverse into the Ross Peak path, but that line crosses steep, consequential slopes with serious overhead exposure and should be treated as full-value avalanche terrain, not a shortcut. Bonney Moraines is often sold as an “easy” tour, but conditions dictate everything: frozen debris, hard wind board, or deep ruts can make both the climb and descent awkward and serious. The forest below the moraines is tight and skis poorly in marginal coverage, so most parties plan on multiple laps up high and then pick the cleanest west-side exit they can see. For current permit rules, closures, and the daily access map, start at Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Boney Moraines #3

Bonney Moraines sits in Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass permit area, so you need a valid Parks Canada winter permit, winter parking permit, and national park pass before leaving the lot. Check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map each morning to confirm Loop Brook / Bonney is open and under which permit type, and read the daily avalanche bulletin before committing to the Loop Brook terrain trap and the overhead hazard from Ross Peak and surrounding paths. From the Elephant’s Trunk skintrack, continue south into the forest, trending skier’s right (west) whenever you hit steeper rolls to the east. The uptrack gains a broad, mellow ridge around treeline and then weaves through open forest to the base of the eastern moraine. Once on the moraines, laps are short and intuitive, with multiple low-complexity up and down options that are easy to scope as you go, but wind effect from the Bonney Glacier can turn the surface into hard slab or sastrugi. The approach up Loop Brook is a classic terrain trap with big artillery-controlled paths overhead; do not linger in the gut and avoid regrouping under start zones. Exits ski best on the west end via open avalanche paths that demand solid stability and awareness of other groups above you. An alternative is to cut across the creek around treeline and traverse into the Ross Peak path, but that line crosses steep, consequential slopes with serious overhead exposure and should be treated as full-value avalanche terrain, not a shortcut. Bonney Moraines is often sold as an “easy” tour, but conditions dictate everything: frozen debris, hard wind board, or deep ruts can make both the climb and descent awkward and serious. The forest below the moraines is tight and skis poorly in marginal coverage, so most parties plan on multiple laps up high and then pick the cleanest west-side exit they can see. For current permit rules, closures, and the daily access map, start at Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Boney Moraines #4

Bonney Moraines sits in Glacier National Park’s Rogers Pass permit area, so you need a valid Parks Canada winter permit, winter parking permit, and national park pass before leaving the lot. Check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access map each morning to confirm Loop Brook / Bonney is open and under which permit type, and read the daily avalanche bulletin before committing to the Loop Brook terrain trap and the overhead hazard from Ross Peak and surrounding paths. From the Elephant’s Trunk skintrack, continue south into the forest, trending skier’s right (west) whenever you hit steeper rolls to the east. The uptrack gains a broad, mellow ridge around treeline and then weaves through open forest to the base of the eastern moraine. Once on the moraines, laps are short and intuitive, with multiple low-complexity up and down options that are easy to scope as you go, but wind effect from the Bonney Glacier can turn the surface into hard slab or sastrugi. The approach up Loop Brook is a classic terrain trap with big artillery-controlled paths overhead; do not linger in the gut and avoid regrouping under start zones. Exits ski best on the west end via open avalanche paths that demand solid stability and awareness of other groups above you. An alternative is to cut across the creek around treeline and traverse into the Ross Peak path, but that line crosses steep, consequential slopes with serious overhead exposure and should be treated as full-value avalanche terrain, not a shortcut. Bonney Moraines is often sold as an “easy” tour, but conditions dictate everything: frozen debris, hard wind board, or deep ruts can make both the climb and descent awkward and serious. The forest below the moraines is tight and skis poorly in marginal coverage, so most parties plan on multiple laps up high and then pick the cleanest west-side exit they can see. For current permit rules, closures, and the daily access map, start at Parks Canada – Ski touring in Rogers Pass .

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Bonney Glacier

Bonney Glacier sits above the Loop Brook / Bonney Moraines zone in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass. The line trends generally north from the Bonney Moraines toward the glacier toe, with terrain stepping from mature forest into open moraines and then broad glaciated slopes framed by Mount Bonney and Parsons Peak. This is serious alpine glacier skiing in complex avalanche terrain; parties need full glacier kit, crevasse rescue skills, and solid route-finding under winter conditions. From the Loop Brook parking, skin up the Bonney Moraines uptrack to treeline and follow the broad moraine ridge system toward the glacier toe, or use the more direct trough east of the moraines when stability is very good. The moraine ridge has short ups and downs and some sidehill but keeps you out of the deepest overhead hazard; the trough is more efficient but more exposed to avalanche paths and debris. At the glacier toe, rope up as needed and weave through rolling glacial benches, skirting obvious crevasse fields and sagging bridges. The main ski line descends the west side of the glacier in a broad fall-line path that feeds into the primary avalanche track back toward the moraines. Upper sections can be deflected by crevasse bands, forcing small traverses to connect clean panels of snow. Lower down, staying in the main avalanche path gives the most straightforward exit; drifting too far skier’s right (west) drops you into steeper gullies with cliffs, pillows and water ice that demand precise terrain reading and strong skiing. Hazards are significant: large overhead cornices on Bonney and Parsons, cross-loaded rolls, crevasse fields, and a long terrain-trap runout in the main path. This zone lies inside Rogers Pass winter permit terrain, so you must hold a valid winter permit and respect daily area openings and closures. Ideal days are cold, stable periods with low avalanche danger, good visibility, and light winds, when you’re comfortable spending time under big cornices and moving efficiently through glaciated terrain. Full trip planning should start from Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass winter permit and avalanche terrain rating resources. For current access and permit details see Parks Canada – Glacier National Park winter ski touring .

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Green Glacier

Greens Glacier is a sleeper hit that skis better than it photographs. It’s only become popular recently, and it still sees fewer tracks than the Bonney Glacier runs because it’s more advanced and a bit more “you have to mean it.” The full-meal version starts from Parsons Peak… but yeah, that’s the ultra option. The more common entry is to climb Bonney Glacier (as for Bonney West) to about 2,450 m, then step up a small bowl to a broad col that forms the start of the run. Expect glacier travel: sometimes you’ll thread around crevasses, sometimes (with a deep base) you get a cleaner fall-line feel. The lower section has a steep, convex gully that can be the crux; there are also steeper exit options farther west depending on coverage. Big warning label: you’re skiing under the huge cornices of Mount Bonney and Parsons, in an area that’s notoriously active. Treat it as an avalanche path first—excellent stability, conservative spacing, and constant cornice awareness are non-negotiable. Trip flow is similar to Route 197, but this is the spicier, more advanced version.

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Parson Northeast Face

Northeast face of Parson is full alpine—big exposure right off the summit with complex ribs, pockets, and runnels that don’t often fill smoothly. Expect variable snow from wind-hammered panels to thin, punchy pockets, with the odd pocket of preserved cold if the high north stays sheltered. This is not a forgiving place to discover breakable crust or surprise sharks mid-fall line. Most parties treat this as a full-value ski mountaineering line, not a casual summit drop. South-side approaches are longer but generally give a cleaner, less exposed way to gain the upper mountain before committing to the face. The north-side access is shorter but spicier, with more overhead hazard and route-finding decisions that you need to get right on the first try. Standard tactic is to ascend the face itself. Start on climber’s right where cornice exposure is usually lower, then traverse into the main gut once you’ve read the snowpack and overhead hazard. Near the ridge, expect a small cornice feature that can require a short “tunnel through” move, with larger, more consequential cornices lurking on both sides—don’t wander blindly along the crest looking for a drop-in. The whole plan hinges on high-elevation north-face stability being genuinely good. Wind slab, thin spots over rocks, and overhead cornice failures are the main ways this line can ruin your day. If you’re still debating whether conditions are right from the valley, they probably aren’t—this is an objective for days when you already trust the deep structure and recent loading pattern before you leave the car.

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Ross Couloir

Steep, serious line on the north side of Ross Peak in Rogers Pass, fully in Glacier National Park permit terrain. The couloir drops from the upper north face into a confined gully with big overhead exposure from the walls and start zone above. Terrain is alpine and shaded; expect cold, settled snow but also lingering wind slab and hangfire after storms. From the Ross Peak touring approach, continue into the north basin and trend toward the obvious straight couloir right of the more commonly skied line used on the Ross traverse. Transitions and regrouping spots are limited to small benches; most of the feature is no-fall, no-stop terrain with clean runout only once you exit into the lower apron. Hazard exposure is high: overhead cornices, cross-loaded start zone, and a deep, narrow mid-section that will funnel any moving snow. Ski it only with a locked-in forecast, cold temps, and a well-bridged snowpack; even small sluffs can pile up deep in the choke. Conservative groups will often downclimb or rappel the uppermost section if coverage or stability are suspect. Rogers Pass day-use permits, winter restricted areas, and seasonal closures are strictly enforced; check current maps and bulletins before heading out, and build your plan around the Avalanche Canada forecast for Glacier National Park. Full avalanche kit, strong group management, and a clear communication plan are mandatory in this line. More info on access and regulations: Parks Canada – Glacier National Park .

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Cougar Creek West

Cougar Creek West is a serious ski-mountaineering line above Cougar Creek in the West Rogers area of Glacier National Park, accessed via the Ross Peak Designated Access Route from the Loop Brook winter parking. From the Ross Peak access corridor, you work up through the same tree wedge and avalanche path used for the east face (route 207), then commit into a steep, solar gully that feels fully exposed from the start. Above the lower cliff band you trend northwest around 1,800 m into the main gully, which gives a clean handrail all the way to the ridge. The upper entrance is usually free of a direct cornice, but large cornices hang nearby, so you want tight group management and short exposure time on the ridge. This zone sits in a strong sun pocket on the climb, then rolls over into a big, shaded feature above cliffs on the north side, so expect strong temperature gradients, wind effect, and complex loading patterns. The descent starts in an off–fall-line trough that skis well and naturally funnels you into the main line on the east side of the face. From there it’s a sustained fall-line run back into the Cougar Creek drainage with real overhead hazard and no easy outs once you’re committed. You need stable conditions, a clear read on the upper start zone, and a pre-trip visual inspection of the whole line from below before pulling the trigger. Exit by following Cougar Creek down and then rejoining the Ross Peak Designated Access Route back to Loop Brook, staying within the signed corridor where required.

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Southeast couloir (Ross Traverse)

Southeast couloir is commonly used as the ascent line on the Ross Traverse in Rogers Pass, within Glacier National Park. From the Ross Peak trailhead parking, skin up through the established tree wedge and avalanche path used for the east face, staying in the main slide path rather than drifting into the dense timber. Expect a confined gully-style ascent with overhead start zones and exposure to natural avalanches above. Once you break above the lower cliff band around 1,800 m, trend northwest to gain the main gully proper. The gully gives a straightforward skin track to the ridge, but watch for cross-loading and wind slab on the sidewalls, plus thinly covered rock ribs. There is usually no cornice directly blocking the entrance, but sizeable cornices hang nearby along the ridge, so give the lip space and probe carefully before committing to the crest. In very deep snow years, some parties eye direct fall-line options through the steep cliff terrain low in the couloir, but these lines are serious terrain traps with rock bands and overhead hazard; the original author notes no known descents through this lower cliff section. Treat the whole feature as a consequential avalanche path: pick a cold, stable day, move efficiently between safe spots, and avoid lingering under the walls. Check current Glacier National Park winter permit zones and avalanche bulletins before heading out. Parks Canada – Glacier National Park

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Parson West Face

West-facing alpine face dropping from Parson’s summit area toward the Parson / Columbia River valley. Access is from the summit via the south side, or slightly shorter from Ross Pass via the north ridge, then trending onto the broad southwest ridge to reach the west face. Expect mostly open alpine slopes with short rolls and some micro-gullies rather than a single defined couloir. From the summit, sneak down the southwest ridge a short way to a broad col. A large cornice typically hangs on skier’s left here; most parties enter carefully on skier’s right where the lip is lower and the start is less committing. From Ross Pass, the north ridge gives more straightforward entrances that drop you directly onto the main face without dealing with the biggest cornice features. The face skis as a sustained west to southwest slope, often wind-affected and cross-loaded. It needs a deep, well-settled snowpack to cover rocks and old summer talus, and is very sensitive to solar input and warming; timing is usually earlier in the day in spring, or during colder, overcast winter periods. Watch for wind slab over harder layers near the ridge, and for pockets of faceting or crust lower down after clear spells. There is also a shorter option that simply follows the southwest ridge from near the summit, linking wind-scoured ribs and shallow bowls back toward the valley. Egress from any of these lines is long and convoluted, which is why the zone sees relatively little traffic. From the lower apron, trend out via the Ross Peak Designated Access Route if coverage and stability allow, or commit to the more complex Smart Minor wrap toward the Flat Creek Designated Access Route.

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Parson West Face (short)

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Railroad Gunners

Railroad Gunners is a narrow avalanche path and ski line on the south side of the Trans-Canada corridor near Ross Peak in Glacier National Park, BC. The line follows a tight, snaking gully feature with a constricted entrance that often forms thin, rocky, or wind-scoured conditions. Parties commonly find the top section in poor shape and should be prepared to downclimb or make a short rappel to safely enter the main gully. The upper gully is steep and enclosed with significant overhead hazard from the alpine start zones above. Expect cross-loading, wind slab, and fast-running storm or loose snow in the confined section. As the path opens into the mid-track it becomes less confined but still channels debris; the lower track is a straightforward gully that skis without much character but remains a terrain trap in bigger avalanche cycles. From the bottom of the line, trend back to the Ross Peak Designated Access Route for egress rather than following the drainage blindly to the road, which can involve dense timber and small gullies.

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Gunners Siding

Gunners Siding is a rarely-skied ski line above the Trans-Canada corridor near Rogers Pass, sitting in the Glacier National Park (Canada) backcountry. Parties typically stage from the Ross Peak area parking and skin in via the Ross Peak Designated Access Route before branching toward the upper ridge that forms this wind-hammered feature. Expect a long approach with complex micro-routefinding around small gullies and tree bands once you leave the main Ross Peak track. The line itself is a narrow alpine feature with room for about three skiers across in its main gut. The upper ridge is heavily affected by the highway wind-funnel, so you need supportive, well-bonded snow before committing; thin, wind-scoured conditions are common. At treeline the skiing can be scratchy and irregular but this section is short-lived before you drop into more sheltered trees. For the mellowest option, enter on skier’s left and stay away from the steeper convex rolls and cliffy pockets that define the more direct fall-line. A deeper-than-average snowpack is recommended to smooth out the mid-line rock and terrain features and to reduce the chance of tagging buried hazards. Watch for wind slab overlying weaker snow on the upper ridge and for terrain traps lower down where the line constricts. Use the Ross Peak Designated Access Route for egress to get back out efficiently and to stay aligned with Parks Canada’s preferred up/down corridors. Check the Glacier National Park avalanche bulletin and any seasonal closures or access notices before committing to this objective.

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Smart Ridge Uptrack

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Smart Ridge Path

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Flat Creek Access

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Smart #4

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Smart #3

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Smart Ridge Uptrack

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Smart #2

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Smart North Gully

Smart North Gully is a north-facing tree line in the Rogers Pass backcountry of Glacier National Park, BC.

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Fortitude Ridge Uptrack

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Turning Fork

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Pinner

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Fortitude Ridge Path

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Pyramid

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Heartbreak Ridge

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Heartbreak Ridge Uptrack

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Fortitude Southeast Face

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Smart Uptrack

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Flat Creek Path North

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Flat Creek Path South

Mellow-ish when compared to the big lines, but when it’s good there’s decent powder. A wide, planar avalanche path; semi-popular for storm skiing even though exposure is significant. Access is reasonable if the Flat Creek river crossing is doable. From the first (north) Flat Creek path, continue up; soon after, climb trees (some bushwhacking) briefly, then continue up the path (initially on the north side). The upper section is exposed: the ascent traverses the lower start zone to reach the broad SW ridge of the sub-peak. The upper ridge is often difficult due to wind exposure. The bottom pitch has a nasty terrain trap—recommended to avoid it by traversing back toward the highway before dropping into the bottom pitch.

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Flat Creek Path South (Full)

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Smart West Face

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Northwest Chute

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Slick North Bowl

The usual “closing lap” for the Bonney Traverse. The north bowl is generally the reward—open, fun skiing with lots of options and most of it easy to access. The mood can change fast when you hit the gully, though: sometimes it skis fine, and other times it’s a full-on sufferfest depending on coverage and surface conditions.

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Slick Southwest Face

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Slick North Bowl West

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Mount Smart South Face

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Smart Col South

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Stegosaurus

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Smart Col North

Smart Col North is a serious glaciated ski mountaineering line used as an escape option on the Bonney Traverse. From the Bonney Névé, trend north toward the obvious low point between Mount Smart and the outlier to its north; access from the glacier is generally straightforward in good visibility but requires weaving around crevasse fields and assessing overhead cornices on the col itself. The north side drops immediately from just below the col down a steep, exposed face onto the Smart Creek glacier. Expect complex terrain: corniced ridgeline, bergschrunds right under the roll, open and bridged crevasses, and potential patches of exposed ice late in the season. This is not a place to discover weak partners or shaky ski crampon skills—full glacier kit, solid crevasse rescue systems, and conservative group management are mandatory. Below the headwall the line runs fall-line down the glacier, then through large lateral and terminal moraines into Smart Creek. The ski quality can be excellent in settled powder, but quickly turns to survival skiing in wind-jacked snow or spring crusts. Once in the valley, the egress down Smart Creek is long and tedious, with sections of dense forest, sidehilling, and creek crossings that can turn into a full mid-day suffer-fest, especially in isothermal snow. Exit options are either out via the Ross Peak designated access route (DAR) corridor or by contouring the north side of Smart Minor to reach the railway corridor. Both options involve steep forested slopes, avalanche paths that run to valley bottom, and awkward navigation around the creek and rail line—plan extra time and daylight. This entire zone lies within the Rogers Pass Winter Permit System; you must hold a valid West Rogers (and general Glacier National Park) winter permit, check daily area openings, and carry the required ID and park pass before leaving the highway corridor. See Parks Canada’s Rogers Pass winter permit page for current rules and maps: Parks Canada – Rogers Pass Winter Permits .

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Smart North Face

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Smart Ridge East Face #1

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Smart Ridge East Face #2

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Cliff Band

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Rogers Pass

Rogers Pass sits in the Selkirk Mountains inside Glacier National Park—famous for deep snowfall and fast access off the Trans-Canada Highway. The terrain is classic Columbia backcountry: glades, alpine bowls, icefields, and big descents (often >1500 m). But this convenience comes with real teeth: every destination requires avalanche-terrain competence , and Parks Canada’s top priority is public safety—so show up with the skills + beacon/shovel/probe and a plan for self-rescue.   Winter Permit System (the big rule): many zones are restricted or prohibited in winter and managed under the Winter Permit System, which exists because Parks Canada runs artillery-based avalanche control (supported by the Canadian Armed Forces). The system protects backcountry users from avalanche-control gunfire and the resulting avalanches—so you only enter “Winter Restricted Areas” when they’re posted open. The system typically starts Nov 15 and runs to the end of avalanche-control season; annual permits are generally valid through late spring (example: May 31 in recent seasons).   No services/accommodations at the pass —plan like you’re on your own (fuel, food, warm bailout options). (Hut options in the area are typically managed through organizations like the Alpine Club of Canada.) Planning & access essentials: -  Check status daily before you commit: Parks Canada posts which areas/parking lots are open, plus bulletin links. -  Use designated parking + access routes. Some trailheads require parking permits, and there are Designated Access Routes specifically to avoid trespassing on Canadian Pacific Railway property (enforcement can include charges/towing). -  No mechanized travel (foot-powered travel like skis/split/snowshoes is fine). -  No drones  without a Parks Canada Restricted Activity Permit. No services/accommodations at the pass —plan like you’re on your own (fuel, food, warm bailout options). (Hut options in the area are typically managed through organizations like the Alpine Club of Canada.) When it tends to be best: early winter can start surprisingly early but is often thin/limited; midwinter is the reliable “powder + filled-in coverage” window; late winter brings longer days but solar aspects get touchy; spring can be excellent but becomes more condition-dependent as the snowpack starts deteriorating and approaches get longer.

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Cougar Creek Uptrack

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Illecillewaet

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