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Corbin Pass

A mix of cutblocks and open glades that are accessed straight from the Trans-Canada highway corridor.

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
9.4 km
Ascent
1.2 km
Descent
1.2 km
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
866 m
High Point
2.1 km
Gradient
40˚
Corbin Pass Map

For a deeper dive into the route and detailed terrain photos, check out the post on Beyond Our Peak: https://beyondourpeak.com/corbin-pass-revelstoke-logging-makes-for-epic-skiing/

Description

Corbin Pass is a truly accessible ski touring destination, directly off Highway 1, at the western boundary of Glacier National Park (Rogers Pass). Literally, you clip into your bindings at the brake check parking lot, meters from the roaring highway. The route starts at a lower elevation of 875m and is mostly south-facing. Keep the warmer temperatures, solar radiation, and shallower snowpack in mind when planning your day.

The ascent follows most of the Corbin Forest Service Road, making travel dull but efficient. Around 1450m, the road ends and transitions into a magical old-growth forest for the rest of the ascent. Follow the shoulder up to an unnamed high point to the east of Corbin Pass. To the north, you'll get a spectacular view of the Tangiers Valley, Tangiers Glacier and Fang Rock, a towering rock spire.

The descent is epic. Natural glades take you down a boulder field and a fresh cutblock. Keep in mind the avalanche hazard in the cutblock: it has a lot of wind-exposed terrain, some steep rolls and large planar slopes. At the bottom of the cutblock (1200m), look to the east for a sneak back onto the Corbin FSR. You'll ski it down to your car as the tree skiing below the cutblock is heinous.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between December and March

Features

  • Cliffs
  • Tree Skiing
  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area