Rogers Pass
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Avalanche Hazard |
| The route and terrain described here is capable of producing avalanches. Safe travel requires the skills and equipment to assess and mitigate avalanche hazards. A professionally taught training course is highly recommended. |
Area overview
Rogers' Pass is located in Glacier National Park, along the Trans-Canada Highway in between Revelstoke and Golden (i.e. Southeastern B.C.). This is an excellent area for backcountry skiing. Rogers' Pass is known for having huge dumps of snow, and consequently, the opportunity for extreme avalanches. So sometimes the snow can be great but you have to stick to the gentler treed slopes because of the danger.
Accomodation
Main options:
- A.O. Wheeler hut ACC hut at Rogers' Pass, about 15 minutes from the highway
- Asulkan Cabin Smaller ACC hut, access is a 3-5 hour hike or ski.
- Best Western Glacier Park Lodge At Rogers' Pass, has a hot tub...
- Sapphire Col Hut. Small, high alpine shelter. Administrated by the Glacier National Park Office.
- Glacier Circle Cabin. Not sure if this hut ever gets used (or found under huge snowpack) in winter. Can be reached in the summer by a 2-3 day backpacking trip or 1-2 day trip (latter includes glacier travel). Administrated by the Glacier National Park Office.
Resources
- Get Chic Scott's guide book, "Summits & Icefields, Columbia Mountains, Alpine Ski Tours".
- A good addition is the guidebook by J.P. Kors & John Kelly, "Ski Touring in Rogers Pass".
- Check the avalanche forecasts: Canadian Avalanche Association
- Read the Avalanche Terrain Ratings for the various backcountry skiing trips in this area