Wapta Falls - Intermediate, 8.2km return

The trail is accessed from the Trans-Canada just inside the parks west gate.

This is an easy rolling trial which leads to the beautiful Wapta falls on the Kicking Horse River. Don't ski the last bit from the the upper falls vantage point to the bottom vantage, but do make a point of walking down, the view is spectacular. The trail isn't groomed.

Chancellor Peak Road - Novice 4.0km return

Access is along the Trans-Canada just inside the parks west gate.

The trail is actually the road into the Chancellor Peak Campground in the summer. The campground is along the Kicking Horse and the scenery is beautiful. The trail isn't groomed.

Tally Ho Trail Novice 7.0km return
The trail starts at the park office and goes to the natural bridge. There is some climbing and descent, caution must be exercised since part of the trail moves through an avalanche area, check with the park office and the Avalanche Information Center for Western Canada. This trail is groomed

Kicking Horse Trail Novice 13km return
The trail starts at the natural bridge just south of the turn off to Emerald Lake. You can use the Tally Ho trail to access it. The trail is groomed.
The trail starts along the road to the Emerald River then on to the Amiskwi River Bridge where you can take the fireroad to the Otterhead River. This trail is groomed.

Emerald Lake Circuit 5.2km Loop Novice
A mixed trail with skating and track set . The areas that are not tracked set are used often enough that they will rarely be untracked.

Note:Stay on the trail where it crosses any part of the lake, as the lake has thermal springs which make the ice undependable.

Emerald Basin Loop 5.3km Loop Novice
A nicely treed loop that begins at the back of Emerald Lake. You can combine it with the Emerald Lake Circuit. The trail is groomed.

The Great Divide - 11km return Novice
The trail allows you to ski from the Lake O'Hara parking lot to Lake Louise crossing the great divide. What a wonderful possibility! The trail is track set in Banff but not in Yoho.

Monarch Trail 12km return Novice
The trail starts just across the road from the park office then follows the Kickhorse River east. Across the highway, the trail heads up to the Monarch Campground. Be aware that the trail crosses avalanche chutes on the north side of the highway. The trail is groomed.

Backcountry Skiing and Touring

Yoho Ski Report

Ice River - 37km Novice/Intermediate return

Located near the western entrance, the trial starts at the Hoodoo Campground. Mostly fireroad the trail rolls with some hilly sections. The trail follows the Beaverfoot River south then turns abruptly north to follow its namesake, the Ice River. For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Ottertail Trail 28km return Novice/Intermediate
The trail starts on the Trans-Canada 7.8km southwest of the park office . It climbs for the first section then flattens out, all the while following the Ottertail River. You can add another 6km if you keep going at the end, crossing the river to follow Goodsir Creek. This section ends just below Mt Goodsir.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Takakkaw Falls 26km return Novice/Intermediate
The trail is easily accessed just off the Trans-Canada highway at the Monarch Campground. The first part of the trail is track set but once you get to the switch backs you need touring skis. The scenery is spectacular and there is winter camping at the end of the trail, just below the Daly Glacier. There are several avalanche areas along the trail. See Winter Camping.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Emerald Lake Connector Trail - 22km return Intermediate
The trail links together a number of trails from the park office and heads towards the Natural Bridge. Cross the highway to the Tally Ho Trail and keep right at the fork and follow beside the road, over the river and on to the lake. The trail passes an avalanche slope before it drops down to the river. Connects to the Emerald Lake Circuit at its terminus and the the Monarch Trail at its origin.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Sherbrooke Lake 6.2km return Intermediate/Expert
The trail starts behind West Louise Lodge with a good climb 3.1km up to the pass where you'll have great an exceptional view overlooking the lake. The trail to the lake is in a heavy avalanche area and should be avoided. The wild ride of the return is your reward for making the climb.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Ross Lake Circuit 9.5km loop Intermediate
The trail starts at the Lake O'Hara parking lot where it climbs for 1.3km where upon you'll reach the lake. Turn west at the Lake and continue on to the fireroad where you'll turn north to complete the loop.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Lake O'Hara Fire Road - Novice/Intermediate
Starts at the Lake O'Hara parking lot and climbs steadily then levels off to a very moderate climb up to the Lake. The trail crosses a number of avalanche areas.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Amiskwi Trail 75.8km return Intermediate/Advanced
Starting at the Natural Bridge the trail follows the Amiskwi River, crossing Otter Creek and heads up to Amiskwi Pass. There is a cabin in the Amiskwi Pass area. Contact the park for more information. You can winter camp in the valley, a backcountry pass is required. Remember that temperatures can plummet to -40C in a just a few hours in the Rockies, make sure you're equipped and know how to deal with harsh winter conditions.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Little Yoho Valley 44.4km return Intermediate/Advanced
The trail starts just off the Trans-Canada at the Monarch Campgrounds. The first 6km is track set. The trail passes Takakkaw Falls where you can winter camp. Follow the trail up to Laughing Falls then on to the valley. The trail leads to the Stanley Mitchell Hut.
For details of this and other routes see "Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies" Chic Scott, Rocky Mountain Books

Telemark Skiing

The best known area is across from the Stanley Mitchel Hut in the Little Yoho Valley. This ski area includes treed sections where you can work on your moves.

Winter Camping

The park has a designated site at the Takakkaw Falls campground. To reach the campground see the backcountry trail description
for Takakkaw Falls. You can also random camp off of the Amiskwi Trial in the backcountry. Remember the temperatures can plummet
to -40C in a just a few hours in the Rockies, make sure you're equipped and know how to deal with harsh winter conditions. A backcountry pass is required. Inquire at the park office.