Stanley Mitchell Hut Ski Touring Week

Itinerary

Stanley Mitchell Hut Ski Touring Week

Pre-Trip Meeting (optional)

Your pre-trip meeting will be hosted by the Wilz family in Canmore, AB on the evening before your Wapta ski Traverse.
Canmore is located 1.15 hrs from Calgary International Airport, or for custom trips, we can offer alternative locations and times.

Review of the trip itinerary, distribution of rental equipment, food, and equipment check. Depending on the final timing of the meeting/arrival time of participants, we also do a first avalanche safety exercise in order to expedite the departure the next morning. Airport pick-up at Calgary International Airport can be arranged.

Day 1: Ski-In: Stanley Mitchell Hut

Ascend via the Little Yoho Valley, skiing along the road to Takakkaw Falls. The first 5 km are normally trackset. After arriving at the Takakkaw Falls, the route follows the one taken in summer. The ascent from the highway to the hut is approximately 700 m (2,200 ft) over 23 km.
This will be a full day, 6-8 hours, so stamina is needed, but it’s well worth it!

Day 2 – 5: Daily Ski Touring

We will decide on the ski tour of the day depending on snow and weather conditions.

There are many options for excellent skiing and peak bagging around the Stanley Mitchell Hut. If conditions and energy allow, we can try for the Vice President or President. If visibility is poor, there are terrific tree skiing options. The skiing in Little Yoho Valley is some of the best in all of the Canadian Rockies and we are sure not to be disappointed.

Day 6: Stanley Mitchell Hut to the Trans-Canada Highway or Emerald Lake

On Day 6, we will ski out to either the Trans-Canada Highway or Emerald Lake via Emerald Pass or Yoho Pass. Skiing to the Trans-Canada involves losing about 750 m / 2,500 ft of elevation over 23 km / 14.5 miles. The last 16 km / 10 miles are on the summer road that leads to Takakkaw Falls, and this section normally passes by quite quickly. It is a relaxed way to finish a great ski trip! Skiing to Emerald Lake via Emerald Pass or Yoho Pass requires good avalanche conditions, good visibility, and lots of enthusiasm and energy from the group. If we can take one of these exits, it will be a memorable and exciting way to finish the trip.

Detail and Logistics

Best Season, Weather, Temperatures

The Wapta Icefields tend to have a cold micro-climate in an area that can already be considered colder than most ski touring areas in North America with temperatures between 0C (32F) to -25 (-13F).

The best season for ski touring at the Stanley Mitchell hut is mid March through end of April, when the weather tends to be better, temperatures are warmer, the snow pack is better settled and crevasses are more effectively bridged than in early season.

Hotels / Lodging  we can recommend you in Canmore, AB:

• Coast Hotel
• Basecamp
• Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge
• Georgetown Inn

Services Included in the Total Price

6 days guiding by an IFMGA/ACMG certified Mountain, Ski and/or Apprentice Ski Guide, 5 nights lodging at the Stanley Mitchell hut (bunks with foamies) and 5 days of breakfast and 3-course dinners (professionally prepped, dehydrated and packed, light weight) use of avalanche safety and glacier equipment (harness, rope). National Park wilderness overnight fees, pre-trip meeting and all guide expenses.

Not Included (but can be quoted separate)

Transport from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise or Field to trailhead and back (we can usually car pool or arrange a ride in the guides’ car), Calgary Airport pick up and drop off (CD$ 110 / person return trip), pre and post trip lodging in Canmore (from $ 26 / person), lunches and snacks.
Any special meal requests will incur an additional $10 / day.

Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain/avalanche conditions or personal preferences.

Can I Do It?

Strenuous backcountry ski tour in sub-alpine and alpine terrain, mostly glaciated, on alpine touring (randonnée) or sturdy telemark equipment.
You must be able to ski safely and controlled at all times while wearing a heavy (12kg – 16kg =26lb – 35lb) backpack during the approach. The skiing is is varied for intermediate to advanced/expert skiers, alpine as well as tree skiing. Snow conditions can range from excellent powder to breakable crust (as in any backcountry trip).

Depending on the conditions, we might have to rope up at times.

You need to be in good physical and mental condition, ready to be on your feet for about 8 hrs. on some of the days.
If in doubt whether you have the required skills, give us a call!

On a custom basis we also offer a shorter itineraries.

Stanley Mitchell Hut – Custom or Private Group Trips:

For private groups,  we can make any trip duration and departure date work with adequate notice time for the entire season December – May.

Pricing:
We can offer the following pricing depending on group size assuming a 6-day / 5-night program as our standard trip.
Shorter or longer durations will be pro-rated:

7 participants 16% discount of the advertised per person price
6 participants 13% discount
5 participants: 8% discount
4 participants: Our advertised per person price
3 participants: 25% premium in addition to our advertised per person price
2 participants: 60% premium

Meeting Point

Your pre-trip meeting will be hosted by the Wilz family in Canmore, AB on the evening before your Wapta Ski Traverse.

Closest Airport / Transport options

Calgary International Airport is located about 1.25 hrs from our base in Canmore AB, 1.5 hrs from Banff AB and 2 hrs from Lake Louise.
There are several private shuttle services providing hourly transport from the Calgary airport to the Bow Valley – Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise.
Driving times from the trail head at Takakkaw Falls: To Calgary = 2.45 hrs, Canmore 1.5 hrs, Banff 1h hrs, Lake Louise 35min.
For Airport shuttle services; Banffairporter.com

Rental cars and taxis are also available in Calgary, Banff or Canmore:

• Canmore: Enterprise Rent-A-Car  –  Devil’s Gap Expedition  –  National Car Rental
• Banff:  Budget Rent-A-Car  –  Hertz Rent A Car

Canmore Taxi companies:

• Canmore Taxis – Phone: 587-361-2882
• APEX Cabs – Phone: 403-609-0030
• Quick Cab – Phone: 403-679-9999

Banff Taxi companies:

• Taxi Taxi – Phone: 403-762-0000
• Banff Transportation Group Ltd – Phone: 403-762-8400

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 tour on a splitboard?

Boarders must be:
1) comfortable boarding with a heavy overnight pack, for the approach to the hut
2) ready to put in additional effort relative to skiers because up-tracks tend to be established by skiers and are thus narrower than split board tracks,
3) able to negotiate low angle descent sections in “ski mode”, and
4) well-practiced in transitioning quickly.

Additionally, bad visibility on some of the more rugged glaciated sections may require that the group is roped together on descent.

In summary, in order to keep up with skiers, a split-boarder needs to be well-seasoned in the backcountry and very fit!

Transport to/from Trailhead:
Transport is not included in your trip price, however, we can arrange it for you. If you ride with the guide, you can pay the guide in cash directly for $0.55/km. If riding with the guide isn’t an option, then OnTop can help organize a shuttle from Banff or Canmore to/from the trailhead. Please email us for details.

OnTop Equipment List – Stanley Mitchell Hut

Technical Equipment
Bring the following, or rent it (see ‘Trip Info Links’ at the bottom of the 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)
 Large backpack (50-70 liters). You will also have to carry some group gear.

*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 OnTop can provide them. 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:

 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 (can be shared between several people)
 Spare parts specific to your equipment

Clothing
Temperatures in the Canadian Rockies 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)

Around the hut

 Spare underwear and socks
 Light down jacket or vest
 Three-season sleeping bag with stuff sack. Sleeping rooms are unheated
 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)

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