5.2 km away
Balfour Hut to Highway 1
A long and rewarding trip which can be split with a night at the Scott Duncan hut.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 865 m
- Descent
- 1.7 km
Wapta Traverse - Day 3
Banff National Park
Bow hut to Balfour hut
Ski Touring Severe
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Ascent
- 519 m
- Descent
- 529 m
- Duration
- 3-4 hrs
- Low Point
- 2.4 km
- High Point
- 2.9 km
- Gradient
- 21˚
ACCESS: From Bow hut, you have two options to access the Balfour Hut (also known as the Rob J. Ritchie Hut). If avalanche conditions permit you can ski tour up and under (the east side) of St. Nicholas Peak, however the traditional route is around the west side of St. Nicholas Peak.
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Description
The traditional route to the west of St. Nicholas Peak requires a steep 1000' climb up the Wapta Glacier directly west of the Bow hut.
Get the full route description at www.backcountryskiingcanada.com
Difficulty
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
Medium Exposure (E2)
As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.
Remoteness
Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.
Best time to visit
Features
- Alpine
- Ski Mountaineering
Equipment required
- Rope
- Skins
- Ice axe
- Crampons
- Glacier kit
Similar routes nearby
5.2 km away
Peyto Hut to Guy Hut
A long, wild and adventurous journey to a spectacularly positioned hut
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 688 m
- Descent
- 612 m
5.2 km away
Mount Olive (3130 m)
A great glacier tour, topped with a fantastic ridge
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 1.3 km
- Descent
- 1.3 km
5.2 km away
St Nicholas Peak
A spectacular peak on the Wapta Icefields
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 1.1 km
7 km away
Cirque Peak Circuit
Quick Circuit that often has great snow
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8 km
- Ascent
- 809 m
- Descent
- 809 m
7.1 km away
Observation Subpeak (2950 m) south ridge and north glacier
A fine ski peak with lots of variety and good skiing
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 1.3 km
- Descent
- 1.3 km
7.9 km away
Mount Collie
A stunningly positioned peak which can be reached from a number of start points
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8.7 km
- Ascent
- 621 m
- Descent
- 621 m
7.9 km away
Guy Hut to Balfour Hut via Mount Gordon's West Face
A day which takes in wild, remote terrain and some fabulous skiing.
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 859 m
- Descent
- 1 km
7.9 km away
Yoho Peak from the Guy Hut
A short but breathtaking tour to a summit in the heart of the Wapta
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 3.3 km
- Ascent
- 373 m
- Descent
- 373 m
7.9 km away
Mount des Poilus north summit
A wild and scenic trip to the head of the Poilus Glacier
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 7.1 km
- Ascent
- 661 m
- Descent
- 661 m
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Guidebooks in this area
3 routes · Ski Touring
The Ultimate Wapta Traverse Backcountry Ski Guide
3 routes · Ski Touring
Big Alberta Adventures : Ski Tours from Bow Lake
4 routes · Ski Touring
Wapta the Wild Way
4 routes · Ski Touring
Scenic Ski Tours From the Guy Hut
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