Description

The classic wapta traverse runs roughly north-south across the expanse of the Wapta and Waputik Icefields passing by four ACC huts along the way. This is the traditional route,  starting at Peyto Lake and continuing over the glaciated spine of the Rocky Mountain Divide and finishing at Great Divide Lodge below Sherbrooke Lake.

For decades, the Wapta Traverse has had a legendary reputation as a paradise for ski mountaineering. Really, it has it all: an excellent hut system, perfect terrain for traverses, and easy access to excellent ski mountaineering objectives. The best time of the year is late March to late April when the snowpack is settled and you can still count on dry powder runs; this trip is right in that perfect window.

Our trip begins in Field where we’ll meet early Sunday morning and drive out to Peyto Lake. Shuttle drivers will accompany us and return our vehicles to Field where they will be waiting for us at trail’s end.

This itinerary is the Classic Wapta, beginning with a 2-night stopover at Peyto Hut which gives us more time to explore the incredible ski mountaineering available on the Waputik Icefield. We will then continue on to Bow & Balfour huts, up over the High Balfour Col to Scott Duncan hut, and exit via Sherbrooke Creek.

Our traverse begins in Field, B.C. with a gourmet dinner at the famous Truffle Pigs Bistro, as well as a hotel stay – both included in the trip price! I’ve found that this is a great way to set the tone for these trips and a great chance to mingle with the group before the tour begins.

This itinerary is longer than some other Wapta trips offered, with an extra night at Peyto Hut giving us more time to explore the incredible ski mountaineering available on the Waputik icefield.

The best time of the year is late March to late April when the snowpack is settled and you can still count on dry powder runs; this trip is right in that perfect window.

Prior to Covid this was a popular section trip, so we’re happy to be offering it again. It is a guided and catered trip run by Tom Wolfe of Sawback Alpine Adventures. A 10% discount off the regular trip price applies to all members of the ACC Vancouver section who sign up for the trip through this website. This discount is already reflected in the trip price shown on this page

A detailed trip information page is found here.