Stanley Mitchell Hut Ski Touring

Stanley Mitchell Hut Ski Touring Itinerary

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 – 4: 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 5: Stanley Mitchell Hut to the Trans-Canada Highway or Emerald Lake

On Day 5, 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.

Inclusions

Included:

• 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)
• 5 days of breakfast and 3-course dinners (professionally prepped, dehydrated and packed, lightweight)
  • Any special meal requests will incur an additional $10 / day
• Use of avalanche safety and glacier equipment (harness, rope)
• National Park wilderness overnight fees
• Pre-trip meeting
• All guide expenses

Not Included

• Transport from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise or Field to trailhead and back
• Calgary Airport pick up and drop off
• Pre and post-trip lodging in Canmore
• Lunches and snacks
• Porter Service to hut
• Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain/avalanche conditions or personal preferences
• Insurance

Add-On Services ($):

• Transport from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise to trailhead and back (we can usually carpool 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)
• Porter service to hut

Transportation

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

Stanley Mitchell Hut Ski Touring Private Trip Pricing

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

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

Trip-related Questions:

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.

Trip Details

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.

Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that covers adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering”  if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/  which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.

Can I Do It?

Strenuous backcountry ski tour in alpine, mostly glaciated terrain on alpine touring (randonne) 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 on the approach day. The skiing is largely in open, moderate angle, above tree line terrain but 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 while skiing both up and downhill.

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!

Feedback (from our Wapta Ski Traverse)

References of prior guests: We will gladly put potential clients in touch with previous participants of each trip in order for interested guests to get more personalized references and their questions answered from a more objective point of view than what our office could provide.

“Guide: Great. Mike and Jen were approachable and full of knowledge and experience and were totally helpful. Mike’s judgement allowed us to safely complete the WAPTA – hoorah!
 Itinerary: Spot on.
Lodging/Food quantity and quality: The Huts are in a great location and much better than camping.
10/10″ Guy S., Australia

“The Wapta trip was pretty much everything I hoped it would be (except for the blisters); challenging, scenic and enlightening. Overall, a memorable experience. I’d definitely recommend it to someone who is looking to complete a real journey through the mountains.
Guide: Mike was excellent. Very cautious and set a reasonable pace on the hill. He was happy to share his knowledge and was a great leader throughout.
Itinerary: The Wapta is what it is – a traverse and I appreciate that is the overall objective – decent downhill skiing is only a bonus so I wasn’t bothered that we didn’t get too much of that on this route. We didn’t seem to have the time or weather to make as many of the side trips as the online itinerary suggests. Reflecting on that itinerary, seems to me you’d have to have a very fast group and perfect conditions to get it all done.
I am definitely keen to do more trips with OnTop. If I have any friends looking for a genuine Canadian Rockies experience I will be strongly recommending you. Say an 8/9 out of 10.” Steve T., Hong Kong

“Thanks so much. It was a wonderful trip. Jordy and Leanne did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed them and the other guests. Food was great. Thanks for making it happen. I would definitely recommend On top. 10/10! ”
—Eric S., ID, USA

“Dave’s performance was Excellent. Dave clearly knows his stuff with respect to both the technical aspects of his job, and how to work with people. He is one of the most capable leaders, back country or otherwise, that I have had the pleasure to engage with in the past 30 years or so. Trip Organization and communication was generally excellent and no complaints.
One suggestion: let people know they may be carrying up to 50-60 lbs of stuff at some point in the trip. It wasn’t a problem for me (except for all the huffing and puffing) as I have been training for activities like this, but others may be in for a rude surprise.Itinerary was perfect.Lodging and Food quality was Excellent. Thanks for arranging the night in the Coast for me. The ‘meat-etarian’ in me was well satisfied! 10/10. Already bragging about you to others.”
—Richard E., BC, Canada