Best Backcountry Skiing Huts in Canada — 2026
Canada has 15 notable backcountry skiing huts for 2026. Huts are managed by Alpine Club of Canada. A. O. Wheeler Hut ranks highest based on available information and amenities.
Last updated: February 2026
Top Backcountry Skiing Huts in Canada
- 1.A. O. Wheeler Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
Located in Rogers Pass, 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.
Backcountry HutSleeps 24Kitchen - 2.Asulkan Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
Asulkan Cabin is a great base for ski touring and hiking in Rogers Pass.
CabinSleeps 10Kitchen - 3.Ben Ferris (Great Cairn) Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
Situated on a bench with a “front row seat” for the many moods of Mt. Sir Sandford, and built from stones from the area, the Great Cairn Hut is one of the most picturesque huts the ACC operates, as well as one of the most spectacularly positioned.
Backcountry HutSleeps 6Kitchen - 4.Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
The Adamant Group of the Selkirk Mountains provides climbers and backcountry skiers with a wealth of fantastic opportunities, and Fairy Meadow Hut is the perfect home base.
Backcountry HutSleeps 20Kitchen - 5.Bow Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
The Bow Hut is fantastically scenic, perfectly situated and is an excellent base for exploring further onto the Wapta Icefields in winter or summer.
Backcountry HutSleeps 30Kitchen - 6.Cameron Lake Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
Cameron Lake Cabin was built in 1929 and is the oldest surviving warden cabin in Waterton National Park. The cabin is available for winter bookings only.
CabinSleeps 6Kitchen - 7.Elizabeth Parker Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
One of the more accessible and popular huts, Elizabeth Parker (EP) Hut is located in a beautiful alpine meadow 500 metres from the shores of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park.
Backcountry HutSleeps 20Kitchen - 8.Elk Lakes Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
The Elk Lakes Cabin is a log cabin close to Calgary that is a cozy base for hiking, ski touring and ice climbing.
CabinSleeps 14Kitchen - 9.Glacier Circle Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
The Glacier Circle Cabin is located in the Dawson Range of the Selkirks, near a small lake in the deep cirque bound by Mt. Macoun, Mt. Fox, Mt Selwyn and Mt. Topham.
CabinSleeps 6Kitchen - 10.Hišimy̓awiƛ (Hi-SHIM-ya-wit)
Alpine Club of Canada
Perched on a spectacular ridge on 5040 Peak, this ACC Vancouver Island hut provides access to superb winter and spring skiing. From alpine lakes to open ridges that connect with other summits, there is a vast amount of beautiful terrain to explore from the hut.
Backcountry HutSleeps 10Kitchen - 11.Jacques Lake Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
Originally a Parks Canada warden cabin, this winter-only cozy log cabin is perfect for families with backcountry travel experience and small groups.
CabinSleeps 12Kitchen - 12.Jim Haberl Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
The Jim Haberl Hut is open for skiing in the spring season – from March through May – and requires helicopter transportation to access the hut to be booked separately.
Backcountry HutSleeps 12Kitchen - 13.Kokanee Glacier Cabin
Alpine Club of Canada
The Kokanee Glacier Cabin, on the shores of Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is ideally situated for summertime hiking and scrambling adventures.
CabinSleeps 13Kitchen - 14.Louise and Richard Guy Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
The first purpose of the Guy Hut is to facilitate safer and more comfortable crossings of the Bow-Yoho Traverse in winter but it is also a great base for winter day trips on the Wapta.
Backcountry HutSleeps 18Kitchen - 15.Peter & Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut
Alpine Club of Canada
Being the most northerly of the huts on the Wapta Icefield, the Peyto Hut is where a full traverse of the Wapta starts (or finishes). It gives access to the excellent, moderate mountaineering challenges of Peyto and Trapper Peaks, and Mts. Baker, Thompson and Rhondda.
Backcountry HutSleeps 18Kitchen
Backcountry Skiing Huts Comparison — Canada 2026
| Hut | Type | Capacity | Price | Kitchen | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. O. Wheeler Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 24 | — | Yes | 0.93 miles / 1.5 km |
| Asulkan Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 10 | — | Yes | 7.46 miles / 12.0 km |
| Ben Ferris (Great Cairn) Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 6 | — | Yes | 0.0 miles / 0.0 km |
| Bill Putnam (Fairy Meadow) Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 20 | — | Yes | 0.0 miles / 0.0 km |
| Bow Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 30 | — | Yes | 4.97 miles / 8.0 km |
| Cameron Lake Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 6 | — | Yes | 1.86 miles / 3.0 km |
| Elizabeth Parker Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 20 | — | Yes | 7.46 miles / 12.0 km |
| Elk Lakes Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 14 | — | Yes | 3.36 miles / 5.4 km |
| Glacier Circle Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 6 | — | Yes | 8.7 miles / 14.0 km |
| Hišimy̓awiƛ (Hi-SHIM-ya-wit) Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 10 | — | Yes | 7.46 miles / 12.0 km |
| Jacques Lake Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 12 | — | Yes | 7.46 miles / 12.0 km |
| Jim Haberl Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 12 | — | Yes | 0.0 miles / 0.0 km |
| Kokanee Glacier Cabin Alpine Club of Canada | Cabin | 13 | — | Yes | 0.0 miles / 0.0 km |
| Louise and Richard Guy Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 18 | — | Yes | 0.0 miles / 0.0 km |
| Peter & Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut Alpine Club of Canada | Backcountry Hut | 18 | — | Yes | 6.21 miles / 10.0 km |
How to Choose a Hut in Canada
- 1.
Consider your fitness level and the approach. Some huts require multi-hour ski tours or hikes with significant elevation gain. Check the access distance and difficulty before booking.
- 2.
Check meals and kitchen availability. Self-catering huts require you to bring all food and fuel. Staffed huts with meal service simplify logistics but may cost more.
- 3.
Match capacity to your group size. Smaller huts offer privacy but limited availability. Larger facilities accommodate groups and often have better amenities.
- 4.
Book early for peak season. Popular huts fill up months in advance, especially for holiday weekends and prime ski/hiking season. Check availability as soon as your dates are firm.
- 5.
Assess winter conditions and safety. For winter hut trips, check avalanche conditions, carry rescue equipment, and consider hiring a certified guide. Many huts in Canada are located in or near avalanche terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do backcountry skiing huts in Canada cost per night?
Pricing for backcountry skiing huts in Canada varies by hut and season. Contact individual operators for current rates.
Do I need to book backcountry skiing huts in Canada in advance?
Yes, most backcountry skiing huts in Canada require advance reservations, especially during peak season. Popular huts can book up months ahead for holidays and weekends. Contact operators directly for availability.
What is the capacity of backcountry skiing huts in Canada?
Backcountry Skiing Huts in Canada range from 6 to 30 guests per night. Smaller huts offer a more intimate experience, while larger facilities can accommodate groups.
Are meals provided at backcountry skiing huts in Canada?
Most backcountry skiing huts in Canada are self-catering with kitchen facilities (15 of 15 have kitchens). Bring your own food and cooking supplies.
What gear do I need for backcountry skiing huts in Canada?
Essential gear includes a sleeping bag, headlamp, layers, and appropriate footwear for the approach. In winter, avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel) is required for backcountry huts. Check individual hut listings for specific gear requirements.