Mount Hector, Ski Mountaineering - Saturday, Apr 25, 2026

The Basics:
Event Type: Skiing 
Event Location: Lake Louise 
Event Starts:   Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 05:00 AM (Carpool Departure: 05:00 AM @ Calgary, Valley Ridge)  
Event Ends:   Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 07:00 PM  
Registration Cut Off:   Saturday, Apr 25, 2026  
Difficulty Rating:   D3 - See Conversion Chart  
Trip Coordinator(s):   Scott Rounsville
 

Participant Info:
Who's Invited:   Members Only  
Attendee Screening:   Attendees are Pre-Screened
Maximum Group Size: 4
Number Registered So Far:   1 (View sign-ups, waiting list)
Are Dogs Permitted:   No

Itinerary:

**Meet in Calgary at Valley Ridge meeting location for 5am departure from Calgary. Let's take advantage of the freeze!

Mount Hector

Distance: 11 km return

Height Gain 1600m

Max elevation 3395m

Chic Scott & Mark Klassen, Mount Hector, Summit & Icefields book, page 85

Will involve spring ski mountaineering hazards, roped glacier travel and potential moderate mountaineering


POTENTIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT - READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING UP. By signing up for this trip you acknowledge the following.


Ski Mountaineering


Avalanche

  • Avalanches can occur in the terrain in which we operate and can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. skiing/snowboarding). What are the risks? Anyone caught in an avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and/or property damage or loss.

Rockfall and icefall

  • Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking). What are the risks? Impact from a falling rock or ice can result in injury or death and can also damage equipment such as ropes.

Terrain

  • Cornice fall
  • Crevasses
  • Cliffs
  • Trees, tree wells, forest deadfall, and tree stumps
  • Creeks
  • Rocks and Boulders
  • Holes and depressions below the snow surface
  • Variable and difficult snow conditions
  • Snowcat roads and road banks
  • Fences and other manmade structures
  • Snow immersion
  • Impact or collision with other persons vehicles or objects
  • Encounters with domestic or wild animals
  • Loss of balance or control
  • Slips trips and falls
  • Becoming lost or separated from one’s group

Communication, rescue and medical treatment

  • 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

Boots and binding systems

  • Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
  • Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/bindingsystems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.

Falls and Belaying

  • Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or the ground, which can lead to injury or death.
  • The risk of belay failure is also present, which can contribute to the risk of a ground fall

Other

  • Slips, trips and falls both outdoors and indoors
  • Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may betransmitted through direct or indirect contact
  • Equipment failure
  • Negligent first aid
  • Negligence of other people
Required Items to Bring:
  • Skis or splitboard, skins, poles, boots
  • Avalanche rescue gear (shovel, probe, beacon)
  • Glacier travel kit: Locking/non-locking carabiners, prussiks, progress capture, ATC or equivalent, ice screw(s), runners, etc.
  • Ski crampons, likely boot crampons, light mountaineering axe

How to Get There:
Event Directions:  


 
Carpool Departure Time:   05:00 AM
Carpool Location:   Calgary, Valley Ridge

Notes:

**Participants to be pre-screened** not on a first come basis. If we haven't skied together before, please include confirmation on prerequisites and brief history of ski mountaineering experience during sign-up.



Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our participant responsibility guidelines!


Cancellation Policy
If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.

Trip Feedback
If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you! You can send any feedback you may have to the Section Chair.

Waiver and Membership Requirement
Participation in this activity is subject to you having a current membership and a current signed ACC Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks Agreement (the “Waiver”), which is signed in conjunction with purchasing/renewing your membership.

A separate Waiver is not required. Your membership Waiver in place at the time of the activity will apply to your participation in this activity. You can review your completed waiver by logging onto your profile at alpineclubofcanada.ca. If your membership renews prior to the activity taking place, you will be required to agree to a new Waiver upon renewal, this new Waiver will apply to your participation in this activity. By proceeding with the booking, you agree to the foregoing waiver terms. Bookings without a current Waiver at the time of the activity will be cancelled.

The Waiver is a legal document by which you waive or give up the right to sue or claim compensation following an accident. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY! You can review your completed waiver by logging onto your profile at alpineclubofcanada.ca.

SIGN UP HERE
The trip coordinator needs to review and accept your application for this event. Add yourself to the waiting list here.


Never (not until the event has passed) 
2 Days Before Event  
7 Days Before Event  
I have read and agree to the waiver requirements set out above. I also agree that as a Member, my ACC Waiver in place at the time of this activity will apply to my participation in such activity.

I have read and understand the risks, dangers and hazards associated with this event found on the registration page. I understand that there are many risks, dangers and hazards associated with this activity and am signing up for this event knowing the risks, dangers and hazards that exist and am freely accepting them.