Rogers Pass offers some of the most exciting and challenging ski and splitboard terrain in North America. From high glaciers to beautiful open bowls, tree skiing to small chutes, and steep adrenalin-fueled couloirs, the list is endless. Not only is it well-known for its huge snowfall and wild landscapes, Rogers Pass harbours many of the best backcountry runs in Western Canada. Its proximity to the highway gives you the flexibility to ski and snowboard a range of distinct aspects and altitudes, providing a multitude of options for the intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders, irrespective of the weather.
Our Rogers Pass guides aim to find the best snow in the area while keeping safety as our priority. You’ll be provided tips on how to improve your powder skiing and splitboarding technique expanding your knowledge on travel through complex mountain terrain. Most importantly, we want to challenge you and have fun!
Can’t make our weekend Rogers Pass backcountry skiing dates? Our ACMG ski guides are available for private ski guiding in Roger’s Pass and surrounding areas. Visit our private skiing package page for more flexible options.
Thanks to our sponsors at K2 Skis and BCA who have generously donated gear and prizes, participants who take part in an Avalanche Safety Training course or Backcountry Ski public program before February 28, 2023, have the chance to win some incredible gear. So don’t wait…register now!
Agenda
Day 1: Meet at the Rogers Pass Visitor Information Centre at 9:00 am (PST). We will check the weather and avalanche forecasts, then head out for an appropriate ski touring objective. Today we’ll likely do something around Connaught Creek where there are several short but terrific ski tours.
Days 2 and 3: There’s a multitude of backcountry ski options available in Roger’s Pass and we will select objectives that fit the group’s ability and energy. Perhaps the Sapphire Col – Lily Glacier loop or one of the routes from Bostock Creek.
More skiing: If these dates do not work for you or you prefer to ski privately with a guide we can customize a ski touring and backcountry skiing trip for you in Roger’s Pass.
Although Rogers Pass ski touring is world-renowned, the terrain is very serious. Hiring a ski guide will increase your overall experience since they are familiar with the terrain, are avalanche professionals, and certified to travel on glaciers. The average annual snowfall in Rogers Pass is close to 10 meters. Several runs have over 1000 meters of ascent and descent. There is a reason why this area is considered the backcountry skiing capital of Canada.
We ask that you read the ‘Is it For You’ section on the sidebar to the right. Participants in this program must be advanced or high intermediate skiers in very good physical shape. If your skiing or fitness level is below the requirement but you still want to experience skiing in Rogers Pass you should consider hiring a private ski guide who will tailor a program to your abilities. We would be pleased to do this for you with one of our ski guides. Please call us if you have questions or concerns about your fitness or experience. If your physical fitness level or skiing ability is not to standard, we cannot guarantee you will be able to complete the full program.
This should not be your first ski touring and backcountry ski trip. You MUST have previous ski touring experience.
Meeting Time and Place
Meet at the Rogers Pass Visitor Information Centre at 9:00 am (PST) on the first day. Please be dressed and ready for ski touring with skins on your skis. As soon as we hit the trail, we will do an avalanche companion rescue refresher.
Objectives
- Introduce participants to ski touring at Rogers Pass
- Find as much good powder skiing as possible
- Refresh backcountry techniques and knowledge
- Have fun and do a lot of skiing
Guides and Group Size
Our Roger’s Pass ski groups tend to be small.
Our instructors are certified professional ski guides who are licensed and trained to guide and instruct in the backcountry. There will be a maximum of 6 participants per guide and a maximum of 12 participants in the program. The program will require 4 participants to run.
Transportation
Transport to Revelstoke/Roger’s Pass is not included in this program.
Rogers Pass is 350km west of Calgary on the Trans Canada (#1) Highway in Glacier National Park. Calgary International Airport is regularly serviced by flights from Europe and throughout North America.
Park Passes
Please complete this quiz to receive your Glacier National Park Annual Winter Permit. this must be completed by all participants. Please copy and paste the following link into your browser and follow the instructions. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier/visit/hiver-winter/ski/permis-permit-quiz
Please note that program venues may be within National Parks and/or Kananaskis Country. For programs where transportation is not provided by Yamnuska/Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska, guests will be required to purchase their own pass.
National Park passes are available both online at https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/admission and in-person at National park gates and some information centres.
Kananaskis Country conservation passes are available online at https://www.alberta.ca/kananaskis-conservation-pass.aspx
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in this program, however, there are many accommodation options within Revelstoke and the surrounding area.
Please note that the guide will be based out of Revelstoke and that due to potential winter road closures we suggest that guests also base themselves in Revelstoke. Should guests choose to stay somewhere else, Yamnuska is not responsible for missed days due to the inability to meet with the guide.
Meals
Meals are NOT included. You will be responsible for your own hot & cold beverages for the day as well as all meals. Revelstoke has a variety of excellent eating establishments to explore.
Equipment and Clothing
You will need to bring your own clothing, avalanche beacon, snow shovel, probe, alpine touring or telemark skis, poles, climbing skins, and a daypack. We have many of these items available to rent when available. We supply other group safety items. The equipment and clothing you bring to Roger’s Pass will have a big impact on the quality of your ski touring experience. Please be sure to bring all the items listed. If unsure about anything please don’t hesitate to call and ask us!
Skis
Alpine Touring skis are essentially downhill skis with a special ski touring binding which allows the heel to lift whilst going uphill or across the flats and then ‘locks down’ to become a regular downhill safety binding. We recommend this system to anyone with a background in downhill skiing.
Equipment List
You need to bring:
- Skis We recommend a short (160 – 185cm) wide ski designed for powder skiing and ski touring. Please see the note under rental information if you are renting ski equipment.
- Climbing skins ‘Stick-on type’
- Ski Poles
- Ski boots
- Avalanche Transceiver – digital transceiver with triple antennae rentals available
- Avalanche shovel – collapsible metal shovel designed for companion rescue rentals available
- Collapsible probe rentals are available
- Daypack (large enough for spare clothes, lunch & equipment) rentals are available
- Sunglasses and ski goggles
- Thermos flask and water bottle
- Sunblock & Lip Cream
- Pocket knife
- Small Flashlight or Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Small Blister & 1st-Aid Kit
- Camera
- Personal Toilet Items
- Hand Sanitizer
- Ear Plugs
- Small repair kit for bindings, skis or splitboard (this may include straps, nuts, bolts, small leatherman)
Additional gear info:
- Skis/splitboard: There are two viable backcountry systems, Alpine Touring and Splitboard.
- Alpine Touring: Essentially downhill skis with a special touring binding which allows the heel to lift when going uphill and then locks down to become an alpine binding for the downhill.
- Splitboard: If you are a rider and proficient on a snowboard, the backcountry touring version is called a splitboard. This is a snowboard that can be split to make two ski-type platforms for touring on the uphill ascent. The bindings have two positions and can be switched depending on whether you are climbing or descending. Split boards also use climbing skins for the ascent. For the downhill, the board is reassembled or joined to be in snowboard (ride) mode. If you are new to this system, you will need to practice the transitions of switching the board from touring to riding and back again. Your enjoyment will be vastly greater if you are efficient and practiced with this transition. For splitboarders, regular snowboard boots will work. A splitboard specific boot will give you more comfort when in touring mode and offer extra support to make sidehilling and traversing terrain easier to manage.
- Boots: Backcountry boots are different from regular alpine ski boots. In the backcountry, boots need to have an uphill mode that allows a free range of motion in the upper part of the boot. You should not use your regular ski boots for touring and walking uphill.
- Climbing skins: The glue on the base of the skin should be in good condition and the skins need to be properly fitted. Try the skins on your skis/splitboard to make sure they are the right length and width before you arrive.
- Ski poles: Backcountry poles need powder baskets on the tips.
- Avalanche Transceiver: A three antennae transceiver is required.
- Probe: A minimum of 240 cm in length.
- Shovel: A metal blade shovel is required.
Clothing List
We suggest bringing light clothing of varying thicknesses that can be ‘layered’ to achieve comfort and versatility. The most important consideration for clothing is the ability to regulate temperature as you change from periods of activity to periods of rest and from the ascent to the descent.
- Long underwear top and bottoms (light weight synthetic or wool)
- Warm pants (nylon blend, insulated, or fleece)
- Warm shirts (synthetic or wool)
- Medium weight fleece sweater
- Fleece Jacket
- Light insulated jacket or vest
- Waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or nylon)
- Waterproof pants (Gore-Tex or nylon, with side zippers
- Socks – ski socks (wool or synthetic), several sets
- Wool or fleece hat
- Waterproof ski mountaineering gloves or mitts
- Neck tube
- Sunhat
- Casual clothing to wear in the hut including indoor hut footwear
- Face Mask
Rental Information
Skis, Boots, Skins & Poles for ski touring can be rented from:
- Canmore: Gear Up – (403 678-1636)
- Calgary: M.E.C. – 830-10 Ave. S.W. Calgary (Tel: 403 363-0122)
- Lake Louise: Wilson Mountain Sports – (1-866-929-3636)
*Please note that your ‘DIN’ or ‘Release Value’ settings on your ski bindings are critical to your safety while skiing. Our expectation is that everyone arrives on programs with their ski binding’s release value correctly set. We have noted that some ski rental shops will not set release values on touring bindings. We advise you to rent from a shop that will set release values on your ski touring bindings unless you are proficient and comfortable setting your own DIN/release value. Failure to have Release Values correctly set could result in a serious injury.
Yamnuska has avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes for rent. Rental Gear
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. We require full payment on booking.
We ask that you familiarize yourself with our detailed booking instructions and conditions.
Risk is an inherent part of all mountain activities. We strive to manage and reduce it however, it is impossible to totally eliminate. Learn more about our safety and risk management approach here. Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the program. Please view our sample waiver copy.
There are two basic types of insurance that most travellers need to consider: Medical and Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. We offer our guests coverage for both and highly recommend you purchase it.
Emergency Medical Expenses Insurance:
It is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident during your trip. Obtain extra coverage if necessary. There is no charge for rescue in the national and provincial parks, however, costs such as air or ground transportation, long-term care, and other services are not covered.
Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance:
We recognize that our guests’ schedules may change for many reasons; business, family, flight delays, injuries, and other unplanned events. For these eventualities, Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance is a great way to protect your investment.
For all your travel insurance requirements we recommend the Simpson Group. This agency offers a wide range of travel insurance options including Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Travel Medical, and Personal Effect Loss for Canadian Travelers.
Please note that this coverage is for Canadian residents only. For guests who are not from Canada and who are interested in the ‘Visitors to Canada’ insurance package please contact the Simpson Group directly at JSimpson@simpson-group.com and reference your Yamnuska Mountain Adventure trip.
Dates:
PRICE:
$869 CDN includes ski guiding in Roger’s Pass. Goods & Services Tax (GST) is extra. Not included: ski equipment, avalanche safety equipment, accommodation, transportation, meals, parks entry pass.
Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through the Simpson Group.
Please note you will be required to sign the Yamnuska Release of Liability, and Waiver of Claims prior to commencing the program. Please review the sample waiver prior to booking and call us with any questions.
Is it for you?
This complex backcountry ski program is limited to participants 19 years and older unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and in which case approval must be given by Yamnuska Mountain Adventures’ chief guide.
Roger’s Pass skiers must have backcountry skiing and ski touring experience and be advanced or high intermediate skiers in very good physical condition. In the Yamnuska context, a minimum would be prior participation on ‘Intro to Backcountry Skiing‘, or ‘AST 2‘ or equivalent training and experience.
‘Advanced or high intermediate’ means that you are comfortable making parallel turns on most terrain at a ski hill and that you have enough ski skills to deal safely with all but the most extreme terrain found at a ski hill (that is to say you can stop, turn around, then traverse out of areas you can’t handle).
You must be in very good aerobic shape, as you will have to ‘skin’ up everything you ski down. You will get a good workout each day from ski touring uphill so you need to be ready for big elevation days. You will be skiing with a daypack containing your lunch, water, avalanche gear, and spare clothing. This program is not suitable for those new to ski touring. There may be steep uphill turns and traverses that the novice ski tourer will no doubt find challenging.
Skiers and Splitboarders should be competent with their transitions (switching from ski tour mode to downhill mode). Splitboarders should be comfortable skiing downhill in split mode.
Splitboarders should have their downhill kick turns dialed, as this skill will be used frequently to traverse downhill and across slopes at mellow angles.
We strongly urge skiers and Splitboarders to bring spare parts for their setups. Most of our guides are familiar with splitboarding sets ups, but each system is different, and our expectation is that guests will have basic knowledge on common Splitboard concerns (i.e. replacing toe straps on Splitboard bindings).
