We have been enjoying backcountry skiing a lot this year. We have done some “slackcountry” days, accessing the backcountry from Lake Louise Ski Resort and Sunshine Ski Resort. We have done some ski tours and we have found some great turns from uptracks that started at the highway.
Below I share the details of where we’ve skied as well as some essential resources to keep you safe out there. I also share my backcountry skiing packing list.
Safety First
Understanding and managing avalanche risk is not an option. Take a course, at least AST 1, before heading out.
Many mountain guide companies offer AST 1 and other avalanche courses and training. I’ve done a lot of courses and adventures with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures. Their avalanche courses can be found here:
Where to Ski
Ready to head out?
Look for reports of our adventures below.
Click the photos below to read the trip reports.
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Skiing Adventures at Mount Assiniboine Lodge
In March 2025, Dan and I stayed at Mount Assiniboine Lodge and skied for four days. It was a wonderful mountain lodge experience with excellent guides, great skiing, delicious food and a wonderful group of fellow guests to share the experience with.
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Winter Ski Tour in Kananaskis: Chester Lake Experience
On February 12, 2025, we skied towards Chester Lake in Kananaskis, seeking good snow slopes. Despite the cold, we enjoyed a scenic trek. After assessing the snow conditions on potential slopes, we chose not to ski due to unfavorable conditions but appreciated the beautiful surroundings. We plan to return.
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Epic Day Skiing Tryst Lake Chutes
On February 11, 2025, we skied Tryst Lake Chutes, enjoying a challenging day in cold weather. Although it was very cold, the trail had many switchbacks and the slope was scary-steep, it was a lot of fun. The day marked a personal breakthrough in backcountry skiing, inspiring plans for future visits.
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Exploring Bow Summit on the Icefields Parkway
On February 8, 2025, we skied at Bow Summit near The Lodge at Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway. We found some good turns on a run at the end of the uptrack. It was very cold so we decided to return to our home base at The Lodge at Bow Lake after only one…
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Exploring Crystal Ridge: A Backcountry Ski Adventure
On February 7, 2025, we skied Crystal Ridge near The Lodge at Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway. Our route finding skills were challenged and we ended up bushwhacking to find the right trail. Despite limited success with snow conditions and not reaching the ridge’s top, we enjoyed beautiful views and a nice winter day.
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Skiing the Lower Slopes of Richardson Ridge
On December 29, 2024, we skied the lower slopes of Richardson Ridge, accessed through Lake Louise Ski Resort. The snow was great and the scenery was stunning. But the best part was that on a busy Sunday during winter break, when line-ups were growing at the resort, we had the whole place to ourselves. Starting…
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Boom Lake Ski Tour
On December 1, 2024 we drove into Kootenay National Park, hoping to ski the lower slopes of Vermillion Peak. Unfortunately, there was not enough snow to ski there. We decided to drive back into Alberta and look for somewhere else to ski. There are often lots cars parked at the trailhead for Boom Lake and…
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Skiing Engadine Burn: Lessons from an Early Season Trip
November is too early to ski Engadine Burn in Kananaskis Country. We found that out the hard way on November 20, 2024. We ended up going there and having a pretty tough day for a few reasons. First, we had been skiing at Sunshine Slackcountry a couple of days earlier. The snow up there was…
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Exploring Sunshine Slackcountry: A Skiing Adventure
On November 17, 2024, we went up to Sunshine Ski Resort. We rode the gondola and then took a ski lift to the top of the resort. There, we skied out of bounds, into the backcountry. Because we used the gondola and the ski lift to access the backcountry, it is Sunshine “slackcountry” skiing. The…
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Pocaterra at Highwood Pass – Backcountry Skiing
On November 11, 2024, we skied in the Highwood Pass area. There wasn’t quite enough snow but we enjoyed a nice day in a beautiful mountain valley.
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Burstall Pass Backcountry Skiing
We skied Burstall Pass on November 9. It was a long skin up to the pass, about 7 km, but we found some good snow and got some good early season turns.
Conditions
Avalanche Canada
Check current avalanche conditions in the Canadian Rockies.
SpotWx
Check the weather forecast.
Parks Canada
Parks has classified popular skiing areas as Simple, Complex or Challenging.
Backcountry Skiing Packing List:
What you need for a safe and fun day out.