Town of Banff

Backcountry Touring

Backcountry touring allows skiers and snowboarders to experience the pristine beauty of backcountry mountain terrain. However, there are inherent risks in backcountry travel in the winter, the most significant of which is avalanches. Parks Canada provides detailed information about avalanche safety.

Backcountry ski trips are classified using three different levels, based on experience with avalanche terrain. These are Simple (Class I), Complex (Class II), and Challenging (Class III). Parks Canada provides descriptions of these classifications and refers to a selection of trail guides for backcountry travel.

Backcountry gear can be rented or purchased through Mountain Magic Equipment on Bear Street  in Banff,and at Wilson Mountain Sports at Samson Mall in Lake Louise. Backcountry gear is also available for purchase at Monod's Sports on Banff Avenue.

For those who wish to experience the backcountry but have little or no experience, professional backcountry ski guides are available for hire. See the Association of Mountain Guides website for more information on how to locate certified guides.

Backcountry Accommodations

Alpine Club of Canada Backcountry Huts are popular destinations for backcountry winter travel. These offer very basic accommodations, and require visitors to pack in their own food and sleeping bag. Some of the local Alpine Club of Canada Huts:

• Bow Hut (Icefields Parkway) - sleeps up to 30 people
  
• Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut (Icefields Parkway) - sleeps up to 16 people
  

See the Alpine Club of Canada Website for a complete listing of backcountry huts in the area.

Ski-in, serviced backcountry lodges include:

• Banff Sundance Lodge: A 10 km ski south of Banff, this cozy lodge features 10 sleeping rooms, a large country kitchen, and a cozy living room area heated by wood stove.
  
• Skoki Lodge: An 11 km ski trip from Lake Louise ski area to a rustic lodge heated by wood stove, coal stove or propane heaters and lit by lamp and candlelight: no electricity or running water, but warm wash water is always available. Capacity is 22 guests.
• Shadow Lake Lodge: A 14 km cross-country ski from the Red Earth Creek parking area, 19 km west of Banff, along a marked trail. Accommodations in propane-heated cabins with solar-powered lighting, central shower, dining room.

Drive-in remote lodges with backcountry access include:

• Num Ti Jah Lodge (Icefields Parkway): An historic log lodge on the shores of Bow Lake, offering 25 simple, rustic guest rooms, a dining room, lounge and library.