Mt Green Rogers Pass: Skiing The North Face

I’ve been contemplating this mission for over two years. Laurent, Inuk and I ventured into the Loop Brook Valley in Rogers Pass with one objective in mind: skiing the Ross Peak Path located on the north face of Mt Green. The route spans from the summit all the way to the valley bottom for an enormous 1600 meters of vertical. It certainly delivers! From the top of its 2692m, Mt Green towers over the Trans-Canadian Highway.

This route is located within a Winter Restricted Area (WRA) governed by the Winter Permit System of Glacier National Park. Check the WRA status before travelling through it.

WRA STATUS

PERMIT SYSTEM

person ski touring in rogers pass — Small skier, big mountains. Photo: The Uptrack

Report from January 15th, 2019

Due to its enormous size, the valley below rarely sees the sun during the frigid Canadian winter. Bluebird day, alpine temperatures at -1C, low winds, and a consolidating snowpack. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

Route to climb mt green and ski down the ross peak path on its north face — GPS trace of the mission. Photo: Google Earth

Beginning in the Loop Brook parking lot at 6:45 AM, we organized our heavy packs eager to start our day. A cool glacial draft was blowing through the valley. Fifteen minutes later, we got the green light from Parks Canada that the Winter Restricted Area was open. We clicked into our bindings and disappeared into the forest ahead.

splitboarder touring up the loop brook drainage — Laurent touring up Loop Brook, sun rising in the back. Photo: The Uptrack

Ski touring in Rogers Pass is no joke. We navigated along the Loop Brook drainage with care, paying close attention to the hazards on both sides. The near-zero temperatures coupled with direct sun exposure could trigger a wet slab avalanche on the south aspects. At the same time, the solar-heated cornices could fracture, which would cause an avalanche on the wind-loaded north face.

ascent route of mt green through the loop brook valley — Ascent route to Mt Green, Rogers Pass, taken from Mt Afton. What a cool summit! Photo: The Uptrack

At 1800m, we felt very exposed. The valley was narrowing as we approached Ross Pass. On the right, we saw evidence of wet sluffing from yesterday. On the left, massive cornices on the north aspect of Parsons Peak, overlooking the valley. We sprinted across the 500m section, panting heavily as we arrived below the col where most of the elevation would be gained.

skiers touring up ross pass — Oli, sprinting ahead near Ross Pass, followed by Inuk. Photo: Laurent Gentilcore-Saulnier

As we closed the distance, we noticed an avalanche crown just below the pass, spanning most of its width. This meant one thing. The unstable wind pocket had already cleaned up the face. Lucky us!

With renewed confidence, we ascended the col’s 55-degree couloir, ice axe in hand. Inuk’s big-wall climbing expertise clearly paid off as he carved a winding path up the chute. He staggered a few times as the thin layer of sugary snow gave way to his featherweight.

ski mountaineer climbing up ross pass on its way to the ross peak path — Inuk ascending Ross Pass couloir. Photo: The Uptrack

The sunlight blinded us as we scrambled over the top of the pass, thawing our frosty man-beards. After hours spent in the dark depth, it is one of the most satisfying feelings in the world of ski mountaineering.

splitboarder up ross pass — Laurent, blinded by the intense sunlight. Photo: The Uptrack

Exhausted from the grueling climb, we collapse on a rocky outcrop, gazing at the endless sea of peaks.

two skiers tanning on ross pass ridge with mt green behind — Laurent and Inuk, working on their google tan. Photo: The Uptrack

We quenched our thirst with some electrolyte-infused mountain brew. We proceeded up the crusty ridge, battered by the previous storm’s winds.

skier touring up mt green ridge — Oli hurrying up Green’s ridge. Photo: Laurent Gentilcore-Saulnier

After 5 hours, 1750 vertical meters and a 8.5km tour, we bagged the peak. The 360-degree view was jaw-dropping, recalling memories of my time spent climbing the French Alps’ mighty peaks. Laurent and Inuk victory danced to a tune while I video-called my dad.

skiers standing on mt green summit — Inuk and Laurent, celebrating. Photo: The Uptrack

We spent an hour at the peak, soaking up the sun and drinking hot chocolate from Laurent’s thermos. Now, time to shred the north face of Mt Green, a Rogers Pass classic!

After studying the convoluted terrain far below, Inuk and Laurent shimmied down the eastern ridge to avoid jumping the colossal cornices. I felt right at home carving a few turns down the wind-swept face.

snowboarder sliding off mt green summit on its way to the ross peak path — Laurent, easing himself down the slick ridge. Photo: The Uptrack

We traversed under an intimidating cornice, searching for a safe way down a cliff band. The clock was ticking. We had to find a solution fast. After a few harrowing minutes, Inuk located a “break” in the cliff. It was more like a rocky headwall with some sparse patches of snow.

view of mt green north face and the ross peak path with route overlay — The Ross Peak Path (Mt Green north face) descent route. Photo: The Uptrack

In a classic Inuk fashion, he launched off its apex, landing a hair left of a concealed rock. Laurent and I wouldn’t risk it and downclimbed in loose snow that provided little to no footing. Halfway down the face, we couldn’t proceed further. We threw our packs in the snow below and leaped off a precarious ledge.

person jumping off mt green cliff — Laurent doing ski-mo parkour, huge cornice in the background. Photo: The Uptrack

From our high perch, we could see the wide-open alpine bowl as well as the highway below. Eager to get back on our skis, we raced downslope.

My sharp edges sliced effortlessly through a mix of hoar snow and glacial blue ice. I could pick up the soothing clicking akin to that of a rattlesnake as my sticks stirred the sugary snow.

skier descending the ross peak path with the cougars in the background — Inuk slashing big turns in front of Cougar Mountain. Photo: The Uptrack

Once we reached the forested elevation, Laurent, our tight tree navigator, led the way.

snowboarder slashing powder on the ross peak path with the cougars in the background — Laurent navigating tight trees at 1600m. Photo: The Uptrack

Our quads were burning after skiing 1700 vertical meters of pure backcountry bliss. A top-to-bottom run at Revelstoke Mountain Resort for comparison. As the sun hid behind the imposing mountains, we entered a large snowfield leading up to the designated exit route. Looking back upon Ross Peak Path, we could barely make out our tracks.

ross peak path ski descent with route overlay — Descent from the summit of Mt Green along the Ross Peak Path in Rogers Pass. Absolutely epic! Photo: The Uptrack

We completed the 3km slog back to the parking lot as the dimming alpenglow gave way to a waxing gibbous moon. Laurent and I were admiring the beauty of Glacier National Park while Inuk was dreaming of devouring poutine (fries, gravy and cheese curds). To each his own!

skier heading home after the sunset — The scenery along the designated exit route. Photo: The Uptrack

We made it back to the car at 4:45 PM. Exhausted, wet and hungry, we slumped into our seats and drove back to Revelstoke, just in time for Nico’s delicious poutine.