Rogers Pass, Backcountry Skiing
Canada / British Columbia / Glacier National Park
Selkirk Range, British Columbia in the Canadian Rockies
Experience the world famous champagne powder – light and fluffy snow!
Rogers Pass in B.C.’s Selkirk Range does not require any introduction for ski touring aficionados in North America. Easily accessible by car or public transportation on the Trans-Canada Highway in about four hours from Calgary, Rogers Pass offers some of the finest powder skiing in the world! Situated on the crest of the Selkirks, the area is blessed with an average of 10 meters / 33 feet of fluffy snow each winter. Come to enjoy the champagne powder or join one of our avalanche courses, during which you will ski unbelievable powder and earn your CAA AST 1 or AST 2 certification.
Vertical gain can be up to 1,700 m / 5,600 feet right out the car door. Countless runs in steep trees at lower elevations and heavily glaciated alpine terrain above make for great options every day depending on weather and snow stability. We will be based in Revelstoke (approximately 45-60 minute drive west), Golden (approximately 45-60 minute drive east), or we can opt to spend nights in the backcountry at the ACC Asulkan or A.O. Wheeler huts.
Choose from:
• 5-day ski touring week
• Custom trips from 1 to 7 days
• 2-day CAA Avalanche Course AST 1
• 4-day CAA Avalanche Course AST 2
2027 Pricing
from CAD$700/ day + GST
HIGHLIGHTS
- Best road-accessed ski touring in North America
- 10 m / 33 ft average snowfall per year
- 500 m – 1,700 m vertical ski tours
- Excellent tree skiing on low visibility days
- Glacier skiing, Peak ascents well into spring
- Overnight trips from Wheeler and Asulkan Huts
DIFFICULTY
- 6-8 hours per day on skis
- Intermediate to advanced skiers
- Light day packs on day trips
- Glaciated terrain and summits possible
- Steep, widely-spaced tree runs!
Rogers Pass Guided Backcountry Ski Itinerary
Itineraries will vary from group to group and will depend on mountain conditions and client abilities. Your guide and the group will decide the itinerary on a day-to-day basis.
Inclusions
Guiding and instruction by an internationally (UIAGM/IFMGA) certified mountain guide or ACMG ski guide or ACMG Assistant Ski Guide under supervision, all guide expenses, lodging (double rooms with ensuite bathroom in the hotel, bunk beds in the hut, if that option is chosen), Glacier equipment (harness, rope), avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe). For AST courses also use of snow study equipment (snow screen, snow saw, loop, thermometer), “Avaluator” booklet and screen as well as a course manual to keep.
2 day course: 1 night accommodation
3 day course: 2 nights accommodation
4 day course: 3 nights accommodation
5 day course: 4 nights accommodation
We might be able to arrange ground transport for you, either by carpooling with the guide or other participants. Airport pick-up and drop off is also available for an additional charge.
Not included in Trip Price
Airfare, ski touring equipment (can be rented),breakfast, dinner und lunch, drinks, single room supplement, national Parks Pass for entry into Glacier National Park by car.
Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain conditions or personal preferences.
Curriculum
2 Day Course:
Learning by doing! Track setting, intro to avalanche awareness and snow stability evaluation – CAA – AST 1 certificate (16 hrs), transceiver search, navigation and route planning with classic tools and GPS, glacier travel (in spring), skiing techniques in particular to powder.
4 and 5 Day Course:
As above but more in depth, Avalanche Awareness and snow stability evaluation CAA AST 2 certificate (32 hrs), Intermediate to advanced ski tours: Grizzly Shoulder Runs (550m), Ursus Minor (800m), Lilly Glacier to Asulkan Traverse (1200m), Youngs Peak (1600m), Little Sifton (1450m) and lots of other options!
Private Guiding:
– or as a course:
A combination of any of the above contents, advancing at a rate in accordance with your personal skill level and preferences.
Trip Details
Meeting Point
On the first day of the trip we will depart Revelstoke/or Golden at approx 9AM MST or 8AM PST to Rogers Pass. Be dressed and ready to go out into the field.
We can also organize a pick-up at the Calgary Airport (additional charge) or make arrangements to meet you between Canmore and Roger’s Pass.
Climate/Weather
The Selkirk Range in BC’s Columbia Ranges are primarily influenced by a moist, maritime climate (very much in contrast to Canadian Rockies) with moderate winter temps. During a typical ski touring week, you should be prepared for heavy snowfall and temps from -1C (30F) to -15C (5F).
Gear List
Rogers Pass Gear List.PDF
Please download a PDF copy to use as a checklist when preparing for your trip.
Technical Equipment
Bring the following, or rent it (see ‘Trip Info Links’ at the bottom of this page):
- Alpine touring (or telemark*) skis and ski boots
- Collapsible, lightweight ski poles
- Climbing skins (stick-on), fitted to your skis
- Ski crampons (required for trips in March, April, and May)
*Only bring telemark skis if you are an advanced telemark skier with backcountry experience.
If you do not have one or more of the following items, you can rent them from the listed retailers or from OnTop. Please book in advance.
- Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver
- Lightweight snow shovel
- Avalanche probe (two to three meters long)
- Harness for glacier travel
- One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
Bring the following:
- Daypack (35-45 litres). A larger pack will be required if we overnight at a backcountry hut. You will also have to carry some group gear.
- Crevasse rescue equipment, if you are familiar with it (Prusik cords, webbing, pulleys, auto-locking device). Your guide will bring a full set
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Spare parts specific to your equipment
Clothing
Temperatures in the western Canadian mountains vary hugely. Between December and February, temperatures can be well below 0°C during the day and drop as low as –30°C overnight. Between March and May, it can be above freezing during the day with overnight lows not normally going below –10°C. Having several clothing layering options is important.
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Wind and waterproof over-pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm pants (eg. lined Schoeller fabric)
- Thick fleece or wool pullover, or PrimaLoft jacket
- Medium weight fleece shirt
- Thin synthetic or wool underwear, top and bottoms
- Two pairs of gloves (lightweight and heavier weight)
- Scarf or neck gaiter (eg. Buff)
- Socks (synthetic or wool, thick outer and thin liners)
- Wool or fleece hat that covers your ears
- Gaiters that fit over your ski boot (unless pants seal tightly to your boots)
- Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
- Bandana (optional)
Lodging comforts
- Spare underwear and socks
- Light down jacket or vest
- Three-season sleeping bag with stuff sack, if we are staying overnight at a hut. Sleeping rooms are unheated in the huts.
- Earplugs (optional)
- Light hut slippers or Crocs (optional – socks or ski boot liners work too)
- Toiletries (keep to a bare minimum – the huts have minimal washing facilities)
- Full set of toiletries, swimsuit, town clothes and footwear for the lodging in Revelstoke or Golden
Other items
- Sunglasses with high UV protection
- Ski goggles with high UV protection
- Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
- One-litre water bottle with an insulator. Water bladders not recommended
- Thermos (optional)
- Headlamp with spare battery
- Lunch and snacks (eg. sandwiches, candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)
- Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
- Pocket knife (optional)
- Health and travel insurance documents
- Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry (optional)
- Rain cover specific to your pack, or large plastic bag
- Camera, spare batteries (optional)
- Compass, maps, GPS (optional)
- Ski wax / skin wax (optional)
- Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
FAQ
Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?
Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here
Can I Do It?
For any of our ski touring programs, you need to be at least an intermediate skier, who can safely and controlled descend in various snow conditions with a day touring backpack! You need to be in good physical and mental condition, ready to be on your feet for about 7-8 hrs each day. If in doubt, give us a call!
2026/27 PRICES
We charge a 10% premium for 1 day trips.
1 person: CAD $700
Group of 2: CAD $800 ($400/person)
Group of 3: CAD $900 ($300/person)
Group of 4: CAD $1000 ($250/person)
Group of 5: CAD $1100 ($220/person)
Group of 6: CAD $1200 ($200/person)
All prices plus 5% GST
*We offer discounts from 10-25% for for families, multi-family groups, locals, students and trip durations longer than 2 days and spring trips after March 20.
GROUP TRIP SIZE
1 – 7 Clients: 1 Guide
CUSTOM TRIP DEPARTURES
Custom trips at any time from early mid-December to end of May
TRIP INCLUSIONS
Included
- A certified ACMG Mountain, Ski Guide or Apprentice Ski Guide
- Glacier travel gear, if necessary (harness, carabiners)
- All trip logistics, credit card payments without cost to the client
Not included, but can be quoted separately
- Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) for $10 / person / day
- Client Transport from Revelstoke or Golden to the trailhead and back available. Please ask for quote!
- Guide driving expenses $60 / day unless clients can provide transport
- Kelowna Airport pick up and drop off (CAD $110 / person return trip)
- Pre- and post-trip lodging in Golden or Revelstoke (from CAD $50 / person)
- Lunches and snacks
- Lift and/or gondola tickets (if necessary)
- Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain/avalanche conditions or personal preferences.
For a full list of services included, not included, and add-ons, please select our “Trip Inclusions” Tab.
SIMILAR TRIPS
Sorcerer Lodge
Talus Lodge
Wapta Icefield Ski Traverse
Haute Route Ski Traverse (European Alps)
TRIP INFO LINKS
Avalanche Canada
Revelstoke, BC Weather
Golden, BC Weather
Glacier National Park and Winter Permit System
Glacier National Park Avalanche Bulletin
GearUp Sport equipment rentals, Canmore
Avalanche Safety Solutions, Golden
Higher Grounds Sports, Golden
Powder Rentals, Revelstoke
MEC equipment rentals, Calgary
