Access to a Legendary Backcountry Powder Destination for Our First BIWOC Powder Camp

Rogers Pass offers literally hundreds of objectives for beginners right through to expert skiers. However, for this camp, the goal is to build confidence and strong foundations for folks who are just getting into the groove of backcountry skiing or splitboarding. Our two fantastic ACMG guides will lead you through some of the different areas that the Roger's pass has to offer based on the conditions, weather and group experience levels.

The Wheeler Hut offers out-of-the-door access to both the Asulkan and Illecillewaet drainages which are some of the best zones at Rogers Pass. Classic objectives and lines easily accessible from the hut include:

Mushroom People

Dome Glacier

Rampart Bowl

Perley Rock

7 Steps of Paradise

The nearby Ursus drainage also offers a great range of moderate objectives and lines including:

Grizzly Shoulder

Puff Daddy

Balu Peak

Video Peak

Ursus Trees

Hourglass

Teddy Bear Trees 

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• Zoom Prep Session: Meet your guides and the rest of the group over Zoom at 6 PM (PST) / 7 PM (MST) on March 16th to go over gear and have any questions answered prior to your camp. This will likely be a short meeting, no longer than 1 hour.
• Day 1: Meeting time will be at 7:50 AM (PST), which is 8:50 AM (MST) at the Rogers Pass Visitor Centre. Those who need to can pick up their permits and will get an orientation from the guide and/or Parks Canada staff on the area and how the winter permit system works. You will then likely perform a brief review/practice of companion rescue techniques and group gear before heading up the Ursus Valley for one of the many classic lines on offer. At the end of the day, a short drive and skin gets you to the cosy Wheeler Hut where you can enjoy a sociable and delicious group meal before deciding on the next day's objectives. 
• Days 2-3: Each morning will see the group setting off early for the huge variety of classic objectives in the Pass. Our guides will select which zones and lines to visit based on conditions, weather and group input. 
• Day 4: You will enjoy a fourth and final day of Rogers Pass powder before returning to your vehicles and debriefing with your guide. We aim to try finish the day around 5pm (PST) at the latest to give people time to return home that night.
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Beginner - Novice

This camp is designed for skiers familiar with a backcountry skiing equipment, but don't have much prior backcountry skiing experience. We require participants to have a good level of fitness, confident downhill ski abilities in variable snow conditions and familiarity with equipment and avalanche transceivers. Participants should be able to ski the equivalent of blue runs in backcountry conditions with a daypack.

Due to the hazards of backcountry skiing and nature of the Rogers Pass in March, we highly recommend that participants have taken an AST 1 course prior to joining us for this camp. If you're looking to take an AST 1 course this winter, check out or BIPOC AST 1 offering in February!

Food

Peakeats provides food for our backcountry trips. The hut's proximity to the road allows for fresh ingredients to be carried in so you can look forward to healthy, tasty and nutritious to keep you properly fuelled for a week's skiing.

Accommodation

Guests on this camp will be staying at the ACC's Wheeler Hut in the heart of the Roger's Pass. This perfect location provides convenient access to many great ski lines in the area and translates to less driving time each day and more time spent exploring classic lines. With room for 24 people the communal and sleeping areas are spacious and the hut features a propane system which provides the cooking and lighting, with two wood stoves for heating. For this camp, the group will get to enjoy an exclusive booking of this hut at only half capacity.

Guiding

Our ACMG certified ski guides will ensure your adventure is safe and enjoyable and will be welcome to answering questions about the region as well as everything from ski technique to gear. The maximum ratio of guides to participants will be 4:1 to ensure the best possible ski experience. With sufficient registrations, we will also be able to split the group into two to allow flexibility for different objectives and levels of fitness and ambition. 

Rentals

If you don't have everything on the gear list and aren't ready to invest in your own, there are many awesome local businesses that rent out all of the equipment you will need.  Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to make sure everything you need is available for you when you need it.

• Coming from the Bow Valley? Check out GearUp in Canmore. ACC members get 10% off all gear rentals!
• Coming from Calgary? We recommend renting your gear from MEC, the University of Calgary Outdoors Center, or the Norseman.
• Coming from the Revelstoke? Give Revelstoke Powder Rentals a try.