FATMAP by Strava

Ymir Peak Bench

Whitewater Ski Resort

The longest descent in the Whitewater slackcountry makes for an epic run.

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
6 km
Ascent
481 m
Descent
812 m
Duration
2-3 hrs
Low Point
1.6 km
High Point
2.4 km
Gradient
35˚
Ymir Peak Bench Map

Standing on top of Ymir peak, you will be looking down on a big bowl with 700 meters vertical elevation and endless ski line choices. On a bluebird day this is an epic descent!

Description

There is a big variety in the terrain: you can choose between mellow open slopes, steeper gullies, or gladed tree areas.

There aren't many cliffs or dangerous areas to watch out for. However, the terrain is not avalanche controlled, and avalanches of up to class 3 are quite frequent. That being said, you can still find a line through the trees and pick less steep slopes to reduce the avalanche exposure. The bowl is west facing, which means the snow might see some sunlight during the afternoon.

Start by taking the Summit chairlift and go left at the top. Follow the Catch basin ski track approximately 400 meters until you reach the beginning of the skin track.

The difficulty level of the skin track is easy to intermediate depending on the current snow conditions, It's an approximately two-hour journey, taking you through trees and up to a saddle. The saddle provides an alternative drop-in point in case you want a shorter day. From the saddle, the track gets a bit steeper until you reach Ymir peak, which will be the end of the ascent.

Once you reach Ymir Peak, stop for a longer snack break and enjoy the 360-degree view of the Selkirk Range before starting the descent.

Start the descent by traversing around the peak on the east side. Once on the ridge facing west, keep skier's right to stay clear of the cliff band. When past the cliffs you can ski pretty much everything you see. The choices are many and wherever you choose to ski you will be rewarded!

Keeping skier's left will take you to terrain that's in relatively consistent shade. Keeping right will take you on mellower slopes with less tree cover. Following the fall line will take you through gladed trees and steeper chutes.

By the end of the run, you'll reach a flat section where some pole pushing is required until you get back in-bounds. Head down to the lodge and treat yourself to an infamous Glory Bowl!

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

High Exposure (E3)

3 out of 4

In case of a fall, death is highly likely.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between December and April

Features

  • Cliffs

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area