Glacier Discovery Bow-Peyto

Visit two Classic ACC Huts and Experience a Journey on the Wapta Icefields

Glacier Discovery Bow-Peyto

Visit two Classic ACC Huts and Experience a Journey on the Wapta Icefields

Experience glacier excursions in a stunning setting

Learn essential glacier travel skills from certified experts

Explore the heart of the Bugaboos from the Kain Hut

Apply newly learned glacier travel skills in real mountaineering objectives

Trip Description

In this three-day immersive course, you’ll learn the essential skills for safe glacier travel while exploring one of the most stunning alpine regions in Canada. Under the guidance of certified instructors, you’ll practice walking with crampons, basic self-arrest techniques, and gain an introduction to glacial morphology. Set against the dramatic backdrop of granite spires and expansive icefields, this course offers a unique opportunity to build confidence in alpine terrain.

Designed for hikers looking to elevate their mountain travel skills or experience the majesty of glaciers firsthand, this course is the perfect introduction to travelling on snow and ice in glaciated environments like the Wapta Icefield.

This guided adventure includes accommodation at the Bow Hut, the Peyto Hut, and all group gear. Food is not provided for this course. A complete gear list and equipment rental information can be found here.

Itinerary

Starting at Bow Lake and ending at Peyto Lake, you’ll learn essential mountaineering skills as you traverse glacial terrain. Explore crevasses, navigate snowfields, and deepen your knowledge of glacier systems and alpine travel. Weather permitting, you’ll also have the opportunity to summit a nearby peak.
Day one (AM)
Meet at 8AM (MST) in Bill Peyto's Café in Lake Louise. Your guide will go over the itinerary, collect waivers, and arrange for car shuttling. Hike in to Bow Hut.
Day one (PM)
Snow school: learn the techniques you'll need for safe travel on the glacier.
Day two
Wake up bright and early, head out onto the Wapta Glacier to learn about glacier travel and get up close and personal with the crevasses. Followed by a traverse to Peyto hut. A trip up the Onion Skin for a view of the Icefield may be possible if the weather is good.
Day three
Review of skills learned before hiking down from Peyto Hut back to the cars.

Location

Traverse the heart of the Rockies

Travel across the stunning Wapta Icefield, from the turquoise shores of Bow Lake to the dramatic overlook of Peyto Lake. This high-alpine route winds through glacier-carved valleys, rugged peaks, and ancient icefields in the heart of Banff National Park. A rare chance to explore one of the Rockies’ most breathtaking and remote glacier landscapes.

Guides & Staff

Our guiding ratio will be a maximum of 6:1 to give you plenty of one-to-one learning time with our excellent guides. This camp is guided by Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) – certified alpine guides.
Picture3
Stephen Senecal
Stephen Senecal is a Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide and is currently pursuing the ACMG Mountain...
Picture3
Stephen Senecal
Stephen Senecal is a Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide and...
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We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips

Registration Status:

Open

Details

* Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

Risks include but are not limited to: ​Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks,  rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls. 

General Hazards

Risks include but are not limited to:Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities

Rockfall and Icefall

Risks include but are not limited to:Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking) 

Falls and Belaying

Risks include but are not limited to:Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death. The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall.

Communication and Rescue

Risks include but are not limited to:Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

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