WHEN: March 16 – 20, 2026

DESCRIPTION: We’ll be skiing the classic north–south Wapta Traverse across the Wapta and Waputik Icefields, starting from Peyto Lake and finishing near Sherbrooke Lake / Great Divide Lodge on Highway 1. The route links four ACC huts and travels over glaciers, passes and broad alpine bowls, with lots of opportunity for summit “side quests” and powder laps along the way.

This is not a rushed itinerary: five days gives us ample time to move safely, manage conditions and still go after a few peaks.

Arrival – Fri 13 March: Flight to YYC, Car Rental, Drive to Canmore

Pre-Days – Sat /Sun 14/15 March: Group gear check & light touring shakeout (Saturday), Resort ski (Sunday)

Day 1 – Mon 16 March: Shuttle to start, Peyto Hut

Day 2 – Tue 17 March: Balfour (Rob Ritchie) Hut

Day 3 – Wed 18 March: Balfour (Rob Ritchie) Hut

Day 4 – Thu 19 March: Scott Duncan Hut

Day 5 – Fri 20 March: Ski out to the road and return to our vehicle

Post-Days – Sat 21 March: Rest, Resort resort ski. 

Departure – Sun 22 March: Drive to Calgary, Flight out from YYC

Side objectives include some of the classic Wapta summits, weather and stability permitting. 

COST: Shared costs include hut fees, car rental, and shuttle. Participants will be responsible for their own travel, food, equipment, insurance, park fees, and non-hut lodging. Approx 1700$ including price of flight. 

GEAR: Helmet (mandatory), splitboard/touring skis + associated gear, avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel), sleeping bag (0C to -5C in hut), ski crampons, repair kit, appropriate clothing, navigation tools, ice climbing crampons, mountaineering ice axe. 

TRIP LEADER: For more information or to sign up please contact Cedric De Belder (cedricdebelder@gmail.com)

MAX PARTICIPANTS: 7 (7 hut beds pre-booked, additional participant if hut space still available)

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: C. This is a multi-day ski mountaineering traverse on glaciated terrain. Everyone should be comfortable with:

Full days of ski touring with a hut pack (and some shared group gear)

Confident skiing in variable snow (breakable crust, wind-affected, powder, etc.)

Basic glacier travel and companion rescue skills (crevasse and avalanche), including AST1

Moving in exposed alpine terrain in winter conditions

Navigation, decision-making and avalanche safety are a shared responsibility for the group; this is not a guided commercial trip.

HAZARDS:
Avalanche
Communication and Rescue
Boots and Binding Systems
General Hazards
Terrain
Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details.

ACC TRIP WAIVER: Signing of the ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Participants must read the waiver before attending. Members will already have signed the waiver on-line when completing their membership renewal/registration and do not need to sign it again. Please ensure that your membership is up to date.

WHERE: Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve (https://limberlostforest.com/)

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a day of backcountry skiing or splitboarding right here in Ontario at the beautiful Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve. Located about 3 hours north of Toronto, close to Huntsville, this location boasts over 70 kilometers of trails, 20 lakes and more than 10,000 unspoiled acres in the Muskoka wilderness. Thanks to the great work of the West Wind Highlands Ski Touring Association (https://wwhsta.org/), there are plenty of skiable gladed runs situated at the old Limberlost ski resort (the old T-bar, believed to be the oldest in Canada, is still standing), and lots of additional terrain to explore in the surrounding area, as well as plenty of more mellow routes for beginners. Access notes: https://wwhsta.org/limberlost-access-notes/

We will be driving up on the Saturday morning and meeting at Buck Lake Landing Parking Lot. 2.5-3 hour drive from Toronto. I have some limited space in my car available.

COST: Free access, not including gas, travel, and food expenses

GEAR:

Recommended Clothing: base layers (2 sets), midlayers, down jacket, insulated pants, hard shell jacket, hard shell pants, warm socks (at least 2 pairs), gloves/mitts (at least two pairs), toque/beanie

Activity: Touring skis or splitboard, skins, helmet, poles, boots, goggles/sunnies, face mask, sunscreen, ski socks, water bottle, snacks.

TRIP LEADER:  To register or additional inquiries, contact Addie Typa

MAX PARTICIPANTS: 6

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: B

HAZARDS: Terrain, General Hazards, Communication and Rescue. Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details.

WAIVER: Signing of ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Please be read and be aware of the ACC waiver before attending. Members sign the waiver when completing renewal/registration.  Please ensure that your membership is up to date. Non-members are asked to sign the waiver in person when attending. https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/accwaiver/

In addition, Limberlost has their own Safety Responsibility Contract which must be filled out by everyone prior to visiting: https://limberlostforest.com/safety-responsibility-contract/

WHERE: Boyne Valley Provincial Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WMDKVwhUSUhaVPTF9

DESCRIPTION: Join us for the opportunity to refresh your avalanche safety skills and test your avalanche gear with a group ahead of the snow season. This is not an instructional trip, participants are expected to have the prerequisite knowledge of AST1 concepts.

Potential skills to refresh include:

Weather and conditions assessment
Transceiver test
Transceiver search patterns
Probe assembly and use
Shovel digging techniques
Rescue practice in groups

Snowpack analysis

We will be accessing Boyne Valley from the Prince of Wales Rd parking and travelling as a group for up to 2km to one of several sloped clearing options. Approach details based on weather conditions will be shared by email ahead of the event. Carpooling can be arranged between participants.

MAX. PARTICIPANTS: 12, at the trip leader’s discretion.

REQUIRED GEAR: Avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, suitable winter clothing and backpack, lunch and water, sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, SPF lip protection).

OPTIONAL GEAR: Ski helmet & goggles, snowshoes, warm comfortable boots, poles. 

COST: Free for ACC members.

TRIP LEADER: To sign up or get further details, contact Addie Typa at snow@alpineclubtoronto.ca

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: A.

TRIP HAZARDS (Must read list below BEFORE registering):

  – Boots and Binding Systems – If used;

  – Communication and Rescue – Large group;

  – General Hazards – Cold temperatures, Wind exposure; and

  – Terrain – Snow and ice causing slips, trips, and falls.

WAIVER: Please read the ACC waiver before attending.

https://alpineclubofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/waiver-ACC-2025-05-15.pdf

Members should ensure that their membership is up to date and have signed the online waiver.

Where: Mont Sainte Anne, Beaupré, Quebec
(The one near Quebec City, not Montreal; that one doesn’t have a ski slope)

Description: This will be a winter extravaganza in one of the greatest winter settings in the world.  All types of winter activities are involved including;

• Downhill skiing at Mont Ste Anne and Le Massif
• Cross Country skiing at Mont Ste Anne Cross Country Ski Centre.
• Luge and Snowshoeing at Le Massif.
• Ice Climbing at Montmorency Falls.

Three dinners and four breakfasts will be included.

Date: Thursday, February 12th, returning on Monday, February 16th.

Cost: $500.00 CAD per person.  Three dinners and four breakfasts will be included.

Gear: All requisite gear depending on your intended participation in the various activities.

Trip leaders: Rob Le Blanc – leblancrobertwade@gmail.com and Bryan Thompson –patrowski@hotmail.com

Max Participants: 20

Trip Classification: A,B and C

Trip Hazards:
(Depending on activity)
Communication and Rescue
Falls and Belaying
Rockfall and Icefall
Terrain
Boots and Binding Systems
General Hazards
Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details.   

ACC Waiver: Signing of ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Please be read and be aware of the ACC waiver before attending. Members sign the waiver when completing renewal/registration.  Please ensure that your membership is up to date. Non-members are asked to sign the waiver in person when attending.

WHERE: Bellevue Valley Lodge, Goulais River ON

DESCRIPTION: This Family Day weekend let’s head up to Algoma for some of the best backcountry skiing and splitboarding Ontario has to offer! 
We’ll be spending 3 nights (Friday – Sunday) and 3 days (Saturday – Monday) backcountry skiing at the Bellevue Valley Lodge where the owners have been clearing and maintaining their glades for over 40 years. With 1000 acres to play in, yearly snow accumulation of 250-300 inches and over 200 meters of vertical drop, we’ll be primed for some exceptional steep and deep!
https://www.bellevuevalleylodge.ca

COST: $380 per person. Includes dorm-style accommodation at the lodge, 2 days of guiding, sauna and 3 day access to the backcountry! Full payment is due at signup and does not include food or transportation. Meal plan and carpooling/flights to be determined by participant preferences.

GEAR: Helmet (mandatory), splitboard/touring skis and avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel) are required. Teleski rentals are available and a beacon refresher will be done before heading out.

TRIP LEADER: For more information or to sign up please contact Bryan Phillips.

MAX PARTICIPANTS: 11. (2 slots remaining)

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: B. Participants should be comfortable skiing/snowboarding in technical and black diamond terrain (glades, powder, etc). Some backcountry experience would be beneficial.

HAZARDS:
Avalanche
Communication and Rescue
Boots and Binding Systems 
General Hazards
Terrain
Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details. 

 
WAIVER: Signing of ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Please be read and be aware of the ACC waiver before attending. Members sign the waiver when completing renewal/registration.  Please ensure that your membership is up to date. Non-members are asked to sign the waiver in person when attending.

WHERE: Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve (https://limberlostforest.com/)

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a weekend of backcountry skiing, splitboarding, and snowshoeing right here in Ontario at the beautiful Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Preserve. Located about 3 hours north of Toronto, close to Huntsville, this location boasts over 70 kilometers of trails, 20 lakes and more than 10,000 unspoiled acres in the Muskoka wilderness. Thanks to the great work of the West Wind Highlands Ski Touring Association (https://wwhsta.org/), there are plenty of skiable gladed runs situated at the old Limberlost ski resort (the old T-bar, believed to be the oldest in Canada, is still standing), and lots of additional terrain to explore in the surrounding area, as well as plenty of more mellow routes for beginners.

We will be “glamping” in a historic heated log cabin situated on the shores of Long Lake (https://limberlostforest.com/high-spaniel-lakes/), located at the northeast part of the property. This private site is accessible only by a ~1.5km hike, snowshoe or ski, adding to the adventure and wilderness feel of the area. Despite being a heated cabin, participants must come prepared for winter camping!

COST: TBD, but likely somewhere between $120 and $150 per person, which covers accommodations, firewood, stove fuel, meals (Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch) not including gas and travel expenses, as well as snacks during the day

GEAR:

Camping: sleeping pad (rated for winter), sleeping bag (-9C or warmer), pillow, toiletries (including one roll of toilet paper per person), camp stove (contact trip leader to coordinate), books, games, headlamp, camp booties

Clothing: base layers (2 sets), midlayers, down jacket, insulated pants, hard shell jacket, hard shell pants, warm socks (at least 2 pairs), gloves/mitts (at least two pairs), toque/beanie

Activity: touring/Nordic/cross-country skis or splitboard and/or snowshoes, skins, helmet, poles, boots, goggles/sunnies, face mask, sunscreen, ski socks (2 pairs), water bottle, snacks.

TRIP LEADER:  To register or additional inquiries, contact Andre Delhaise

MAX PARTICIPANTS: 6, however with more interest a second site can be booked.

TRIP CLASSIFICATION: A & B

HAZARDS: Terrain, General Hazards, Communication and Rescue. Review trip hazards on our website: https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/trip-hazards/ and contact trip leaders for more details.

WAIVER: Signing of ACC trip waiver is mandatory. Please be read and be aware of the ACC waiver before attending. Members sign the waiver when completing renewal/registration.  Please ensure that your membership is up to date. Non-members are asked to sign the waiver in person when attending. https://alpineclubtoronto.ca/activities/accwaiver/

In addition, Limberlost has their own Safety Responsibility Contract which must be filled out by everyone prior to visiting: https://limberlostforest.com/safety-responsibility-contract/

WHEN: Friday February 16, 2024 – Monday February 19, 2024
WHERE:Bellevue Valley Lodge, Goulais River ON
DESCRIPTION: This Family Day weekend let’s head up to Algoma for some of the best backcountry skiing and splitboarding Ontario has to offer! 
We’ll be spending 3 nights (Friday – Sunday) and 3 days (Saturday – Monday) backcountry skiing at the Bellevue Valley Lodge where the owners have been clearing and maintaining their glades for over 40 years. With 1000 acres to play in, yearly snow accumulation of 250-300 inches and over 200 meters of vertical drop, we’ll be primed for some exceptional steep and deep!
https://www.bellevuevalleylodge.ca
COST: $380 per person. Includes dorm-style accommodation at the lodge, 2 days of guiding, sauna and 3 day access to the backcountry! Full payment is due at signup and does not include food or transportation. Meal plan and carpooling/flights to be determined by participant preferences.
GEAR: Helmet (mandatory), splitboard/touring skis and avalanche safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel) are required. Teleski rentals are available and a beacon refresher will be done before heading out.
TRIP LEADER: For more information or to sign up please contact Bryan Phillips.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 11
TRIP CLASSIFICATION: B. Participants should be comfortable skiing/snowboarding in technical and black diamond terrain (glades, powder, etc). Some backcountry experience would be beneficial.
COVID-19: Participants are asked to please stay home if they have Covid symptoms. Trip Insurance is recommended. 
WAIVER: Please read the waiver before attending and sign a color copy of it in ink upon arrival.

We have an amazing lineup of activities run by our very own Bryan Phillips! Starting with some in city training, get your body ready for when you hit those slopes. Next, a trip to Mont Sutton (QC) from Dec 20-23 for arguably the best glades in Canada. Finally go big with attending The Canuck Splitfest in BC from Jan 4-10. Full details on all the events on our calendar.

This is a fun day in the snow for beginner skiers with some nordic skiing experience, and are looking to improve their skills (classic or skate). We will practice techniques in the morning, followed by skiing on Hardwood’s great trail system. See the events page for details on the Nordic Ski Clinic.