The Backcountry Huts of Rogers Pass: Cozy Up And Shred

Rogers Pass has three scenic backcountry huts and they are amazing. Staying in a backcountry hut while on a ski touring or splitboarding trip is bliss. The cozy cabins give you access to a wealth of terrain, save you from driving from Revelstoke or Golden daily, and can facilitate organizing epic missions in the mountains. While I’ve done a lot of winter camping, I can say those days are over. I’d much rather stay in a warm, well-equipped hut to complete objectives with friends and guests alike. Comfort is key! As a world-class destination, Rogers Pass harbours three distinct backcountry huts, operated year-round by the Alpine Club of Canada:

  • The A.O. Wheeler Hut
  • The Asulkan Cabin
  • The Sapphire Col Hut

Related: Skiing In Rogers Pass, BC: All You Need To Know

AO Wheeler Hut

The A.O. Wheeler Hut

Photo: Alpine Club of Canada

The A.O. Wheeler Hut is a backcountry hut located in the Rogers Pass frontcountry. As Park Canada puts it: “The Wheeler Hut is one of the most historic, aesthetic and accessible huts in the ACC hut network. The hiking, mountaineering and winter backcountry skiing are world-class.” You’ll find below some details about the hut.

Distance to Hut: 1.2km
Elevation Gain: 10m
Elevation: 1250m

In the winter, the backcountry hut can be reached by following the rail grade of the Asulkan Trail starting at the Illecillewaet parking lot. It's a short 15-20 minute stint to the hut and best completed with a pulk sled if you're hauling in large amounts of food and "beverages". Thankfully, the access involves simple terrain with no avalanche hazard and as such is great for families with young kids.

From its prime location, you can access classic routes up the Asulkan or Illecillewaet Valleys and get as much powder skiing or ski mountaineering as you'd like. Alternatively, you can skin back to the parking lot, hop in the car and access the rest of Rogers Pass (i.e. Connaught or Hermit Valleys) with no more than a 5-minute drive. It's a beautiful hut granting you a plethora of options depending on the weather and avalanche conditions.

Distance to Hut: 200m
Elevation Gain: 10m
Elevation: 1250m

In the summer, it's an even shorter approach. It's a 2-minute walk from the Illecillewaet Campground parking lot (closed in the winter). The hut will grant you convenient access to the Sir Donald Range or Asulkan Range, both offering classic hikes, scrambles across ridgetops, and alpine climbs.

Hut Capacity: 24 (winter), 30 (summer)

Amenities:

  • Propane lighting
  • Wood heating
  • Propane oven
  • Large dining area
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Outhouse

 


Asulkan Cabin

The Asulkan Cabin

Photo: Alpine Club of Canada

The Asulkan Cabin is located near (you guessed it) the head of the Asulkan Valley, nestled between the Asulkan and Youngs Glaciers. This ultra-scenic location provides panoramic views of the towering mountains and expansive glaciers populating the Asulkan Valley. The hut sleeps 10 comfortably and has a fully stocked kitchen as far as remote backcountry huts go in Rogers Pass.

Distance to Hut: 7km
Elevation Gain: 850m
Elevation: 2120m

In the winter, the Asulkan cabin can be reached by following the gradual Asulkan Trail (approx. 7km to the hut) starting at the Illecillewaet parking lot. On average, it takes most folks 1.5 to 2.5 hours to get there. The ascent involves climbing the Tree Triangle, a prominent, treed moraine leading up to the Asulkan Pass. It's an arduous climb when loaded with overnight gear and you'll be exposed to serious avalanche paths on the way up. Thankfully, you can leave your sleeping mat and cooking gear at home since the hut is equipped with comfortable mattresses.

From its prime location, you can access classic routes in the Asulkan Valley such as the 7 Steps of Paradise or the Sapphire Col Hut. You can also summit Youngs Peak and the Jupiter Massif when the weather is conducive. During bouts of bad weather, you can ski down from the hut into the Tree Triangle for some decent tree skiing or shred the lower slopes of the Asulkan Valley. I've got to say, sunsets and sunrises at the Asulkan Hut are absolutely world class. Pro-tip: you can get some skiing done under the full moon if you time it right and stay reasonably close to the hut.

Distance to Hut: 7km
Elevation Gain: 850m
Elevation: 2120m

In the summer, you'll again follow the Asulkan Trail (7km approach) to the backcountry hut. The hut will grant you convenient access to the Asulkan Range, both offering classic hikes, scrambles across ridgetops, and alpine climbs. The hut is often used by mountaineers as the end point of the Asulkan Traverse, starting with Mt Abbott. It can also be a good base to explore the Youngs and Asulkan glaciers on foot or reach the Asulkan Pass for glorious views of the Dawson Range beyond.

Hut Capacity: 10

Amenities:

  • Propane lighting
  • Propane heating
  • Large dining area
  • Sleeping mattress
  • Outhouse
  • Amazing views

 


Sapphire Col hut

Photo: Alpine Club of Canada

Established in 1964, the Sapphire Col Hut is Rogers Pass’ highest backcountry hut, at 2567m. It’s an uninsulated tin box anchored to the rock with thick steel cables. And, it’s for good reasons. The col is typically hammered by bad weather and gale-force winds. The hut doesn’t offer any heating or cooking equipment. It does however have plywood sleeping shelves and a rickety door. You’ll have to bring all your overnight gear except for a shelter.

Distance to Hut: 9km
Elevation Gain: 1375m
Elevation: 2567m

In the winter, the Sapphire Col Hut can be reached by following the gradual Asulkan Trail starting at the Illecillewaet parking lot. At the Mousetrap, you then climb the Asulkan Glacier, watching out for crevasses and the serious avalanche hazard throughout the journey. Loaded with most of the overnight gear, the ascent is difficult and requires glacier travel and avalanche terrain management skills.

From its prime location, you can access classic routes in the vicinity such as the Jupiter Traverse, the Lily Glacier or the 7 Steps of Paradise. You can also summit the Jupiter Massif and the Bonney Massif when the weather is conducive. Since your start point is at 2567m, high up in the alpine, there isn't any tree skiing options short of descending in the white to valley bottom.

Distance to Hut: 9km
Elevation Gain: 1375m
Elevation: 2567m

In the summer, the access is difficult since it requires climbing the heavily-crevassed Asulkan Glacier. Unless long jumping over crevasses is your thing, I can't safely recommend that route. Most people use the Sapphire Col hut as an overnight stop on the Asulkan Traverse, a knife-edge ridge traverse spanning from Mt Abbott to Mt Jupiter. It is truly a blast to complete. The hut will grant you convenient access to other peaks in the Asulkan Range and the Bonney Range to the west.

Hut Capacity: 4

Amenities:

  • Plywood sleeping platforms

 


How Do I Book A Backcountry Hut In Rogers Pass?

First and foremost, the Alpine Club of Canada offers regular hut booking rates for non-members and a discounted rate for members of its organization. The relatively cheap yearly subscription helps support the organization, providing heavily discounted guided trips, courses, and community events if that’s what you’re into. As with most backcountry huts in Canada, you can book a hut using their user-friendly, online platform. ACC members can book a hut 180 days in advance while non-members are limited to 90 days in advance.

Disclaimer

Access to most of the backcountry huts in BC, specifically Rogers Pass, requires terrain knowledge, avalanche awareness and (for the Sapphire Col Hut) glacier travel skills. While the initial access can be trivial for some huts, the terrain it opens up is very hazardous. Please hire a certified ACMG guide to take you through our mountainous terrain when in doubt. They facilitate your trip organization, introduce another layer of safety, ensure your well-being in the mountains, and often will know the ins and outs of the area. They might teach you a thing or two while you’re at it! As always, stay safe out there and see you on the slopes.

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