BACKCOUNTRY RIDING GUIDE

HIGHWAY 93 NORTH

Name: Confessions Of A Ski Bum - Icefields Parkway Guide Book
Brand: Marcus Baranow
SKU: 848029022830
Price: 35.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

In this post we look at some of the key backcountry ski zones and characteristics of Highway 93 North, otherwise known as the Icefields Parkway

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY SPLITBOARDING & SKI TOURING CHARACTERISTICS

The Icefields Parkway has some of the most diverse and accessible backcountry terrain in the Rockies.

From the well-frequented and popular Bow Summit to some of the most impressive steep couloirs in the region, this stretch of iconic highway has something for everyone.

Being on the lee side of the mighty Wapta Icefields the north & east-facing slopes in this range tend to see much more snow than many other zones in the Rockies. The south and west-facing slopes see less snow and more wind effect though they still have a lifetime of impressive ski options.

This region's high elevation start points also ensure a very long ski season, often skiable from early November to late spring. It is also the launching point for many adventures up onto the wild Icefields of the Wapta

SEASON

The ski season up here is long, sometimes kicking off as early as late October and stretching into June or even July in cooler springs. But typically, you can count on great skiing and riding from mid-November through late April.

SNOWPACK

The Rockies are known for a thin, dry, and sometimes dangerous snowpack. While this part of the range gets more snow than some other areas, it's still very much a continental snowpack. That means you’ll deal with long-lasting avalanche risks, hidden rocks, and plenty of wind. But on the flip side, when it’s good, it’s really good - think some of the lightest, driest powder you’ll find anywhere.

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY BACKCOUNTRY ZONES

As we mentioned, the Icefields Parkway offers a wide variety of backcountry adventures - here are just a few of the options available.

Bow Summit -One of the original ski touring zones in this region. Good after big snowfalls but gets tracked out and busy regularly. This is beginner-friendly but don't get lulled into thinking avalanches don't happen here.

Crowfoot Glades -Often the next step up for newer riders and skiers after Bow Summit. Some great tree runs and more open lines and relatively close to the road.

Observation Peak - On the west facing side of the valley. Has a variety of terrain options from low-angle glades to huge alpine terrain.

Puzzle Peak - An increasingly popular zone in this region out of the Mosquito Creek drainage. A mix of long, mellow alpine runs and steeper tree runs characterize this zone. See the video below for an idea of this area.

Cirque Peak/ Dolomite Traverse - Classic Rockies zones on the east side of the highway. The Dolomite traverse is a classic and relatively simple ski traverse, the Cirque Peak area where this trip often starts is also a great ski touring destination in its own right.

Mt Hector - This is for the more experienced rider/skier. A glaciated peak with an amazing ski descent. If you have glacier skills or can get on with a group that does, go here, it is a classic.

Pulpit Peaks - A range fo ski zones on the east side of Hector Lake. This area is a real snow trap and the terrain varies from mellow to extreme in this wide-spanning zone.

The Couliors - Too many to singe out in this range. From the ultra-classic (and ultra-busy now) Grand Daddy to the Flower Coulior near Bow Summit there is a lifetime of steep lines to seek out in this region.

The Wapta Traverse - A destination trip all in itself. If you like multi-day ski tours, then this is well worth checking out. An adventure people from around the globe seek out.

If your curiosity is piqued after reading about some of our favourite riding areas, be sure to grab yourself a copy of the Confessions Of A Ski Bum - Icefields Parkway book; it's your ultimate guide to finding the most epic lines and secret stashes in the area!

Skiing & Splitboarding Puzzle Peak

Rockies Backcountry guidebooks

FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

One of the best current guidebooks to this area is The Confessions of a Ski Bum – Icefields Parkway. You can find it on our website at this link. It covers all the areas listed in this blog and many more in great detail. The author Marcus Barranow has skied this area more than most.

Fatmap can also be a great resource for backcountry riding zones on the Icefields Parkway

Lastly, avalanche.ca or the Avalanche Canada app is your go-to resource for all things regarding the avalanche bulletin.

The Bow Valley also has a plethora of ski and splitboard guides that you can hire to show you around the Icefields Parkway Backcountry.

Confessions Of A Ski Bum - Icefields Parkway Guide Book-AQ-Outdoors

Confessions Of A Ski Bum - Icefields Parkway Guide Book

$35.00

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Confessions Of A Ski Bum - Icefields Parkway Guide Book is a modern backcountry ski guide for the roadside areas found along The Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. Confessions Of A Ski Bum Guide Book includes detailed descriptions, directions, terrain photos and maps for skiing everything from chill yoyo laps to committing, no fall, lines.

This 256 page, 8.5 by 5.5 guidebook includes 151 colour pictures, 30 topo maps, 27 ski zones with 119 runs/routes leading to many hundreds of ski descents to keep even the keenest skier busy for many seasons.

Four guest writers help include the most gnarly lines found along this section of The Icefields Parkway including Grand Daddy Couloir, Gutentight Couloir and Funnel Of Death.

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Areas Covered

Hector South Ridge
Hector South Peak
Mount Hector Roadside
Hector Pass
Noseeum Creek
Mosquito Creek
Helen Creek
Helen Shoulder
Crystal Ridge
Cirque Forepeak
Observation Sub Peak
Observation Peak
Waputik Peak
The Pulpit Knobs
Bow Peak Roadside
Crowfoot Pass
Bow Lakeside
Ferris Glacier
Wapta Icefield
Mount Jimmy Jr
Bow Summit and six Day Traverses.

The Writers

Marcus Baranow has dedicated the last decade of his life exploring, documenting and writing about the backcountry skiing found in and around Banff National Park. His previous books covered the area found along The Great Divide between Citadel Pass and Egypt Lake. He spends 100-150 days a year skiing in the Canadian Rockies and his blog Confessions Of A Ski Bum is regarded as a go to source for current conditions by many local skiers and guides. He currently lives in Lake Louise Alberta, found just minutes away from The Icefields Parkway.

The four guest writers for this book include:

Kevin Hjertaas, ACMG Ski Guide, ex-pro skier and Rockies big line legend.
Matt Ruta, former member of the Alberta Ski Cross Team and current big line pioneer.
Kieran Crimeen, photographer and holder of the (in)famous @shittymountaineer IG account.
Robb Schnell, mountaineer with many hundreds of peaks under his belt, including all 58 Canadian Rockies 11,000 footers.