We had a great trip on the Wapta, April 6-9.

Very easy travel into Peyto on April 6th, parking at Bow Summit (well plowed with lots of parking available) and descending the summer trail to the south end of Peyto Lake. Three short, easy rock hops across the creek where it pinches above the delta.

Easy travel up the moraine (skis on the whole way and no ski crampons were used). Great coverage on the Peyto Glacier up to Peyto hut. 6 hours car to hut.

Easy travel (with periods of poor visibility) on April 7th to Balfour hut through the Olive / St Nic Col.

We stayed two nights at Balfour hut, enjoying excellent skiing on the Diableret Glacier on April 8th. There were numerous guided and recreational parties skiing over the Balfour high col. it looks to be well filled in and good travel beside the nunatak (see photos). No signs of recent serac activity.

There was minimal avalanche activity, but cornices are large and there had been a recent large cornice triggered avalanche off the north side of Mt Rhondda.

We skied out past Bow hut to Bow Lake on April 9th, with good skiing on the east side of St Nic. Fast travel out Bow Canyon, and firm skate ski conditions across Bow Lake.

The Bow Lake parking lot by the outhouses has not been been maintained, with minimal parking spots due to not being plowed, and single lane traffic into that parking lot. We spotted a vehicle at the parking lot right beside the 93N.

Jordy Shepherd, Mountain Guide
Landon Shepherd, Ski Guide
www. PeakAlpine.com