Recommended winter trails

Safety is your responsibility. There are always hazards associated with outdoor recreation. Even short trips can have serious consequences. Minimize your risk by planning ahead:

• Check current trail conditions, warnings and closures.
• Expect that trail conditions and winter hazards may change throughout the day. Consult weather forecasts, and be prepared for changing weather and emergencies.
• Review trail descriptions and maps before heading out. Always choose a trail suitable for the least experienced member in your group.
• Contact the Parks Canada visitor centre in Lake Louise for trip planning advice. Note that the information desk at the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre is closed from mid-October to early May. You can buy your park pass at the self-serve kiosk outside of the visitor centre. The washrooms and free Wi-Fi are also available year-round (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• Tell a reliable person where you are going, when you will be back and who to call if you do not return: Parks Canada Dispatch – 403-762-1470.
• Winter hazards include avalanches, disorientation, thin ice, hypothermia and frostbite.
• From November to March, make sure your car is winterized. Snow tires, proper clothing, and an emergency kit are recommended. Visit Road Conditions and Events - DriveBC for road reports.
• In case of EMERGENCY, call 911 or satellite phone: 403-762-4506. Cell phone coverage is not reliable throughout the national park.

Avalanche season in the mountains extends from November to June, and even a short walk can take you into avalanche terrain. Trails with a known hazard are identified with an avalanche symbol in the trail description. When travelling beyond marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume you are in avalanche country.

If you see this sign, you are about to enter avalanche terrain.

Do not proceed unless you have avalanche training and a transceiver, probe and shovel.

There are often tracks beyond these signs left by equipped parties – this does not indicate that the trail is safe. You don’t know how informed previous travellers were or what the conditions may have been at the time.

Safety is your responsibility. Check the current avalanche forecast at a Parks Canada Visitor Centre or avalanche.ca

Avalanche zones

• Emerald Lake: There is a large avalanche slide path on the left side of the lake. Only use trail 3A in early season. Look for warning signs.
• Emerald Basin: Travel towards Emerald Basin requires avalanche training and equipment.
• Connector Trail: The maintained trail crosses an avalanche zone. Look for warning signs, and move through the area quickly and safely.
• Yoho Valley Road: Travel beyond the groomed trail requires avalanche training and equipment.
• O’Hara Fire Road: Beyond the Ross Lake Loop Trail, the road travels through avalanche zones. Look for warning signs.
• Sherbrooke Lake: The lake is in a narrow valley surrounded by steep avalanche slopes. Travel beyond the warning signs requires avalanche training and equipment.

For safe trails options, stay on the recommended trails described below.

Learn how to travel safely in avalanche country

Many excellent programs exist to help you learn to travel safely in avalanche country. Visit Avalanche Canada for a list of programs and an online introductory primer.

Visit parksmountainsafety.ca for more information on backcountry travel and how to stay safe in the mountains.

Get outside, have fun and be safe!

• Trail guide and map: guidebooks and topographic maps are available at the Banff and Lake Louise visitor centres, and retail outlets in Banff and Lake Louise.
• Full water bottle or thermos
• High energy food
• Bear spray
• First aid kit and repair kit
• Lightweight emergency blanket, candle and lighter or waterproof matches
• Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
• Winter hat and gloves
• Extra warm clothing in case of an emergency
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hand and toe warmers
• Cell phone or satellite communication device

Visit parksmountainsafety.ca for additional information on winter packing.

Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. If you see wildlife, do not approach. Give them lots of space and observe from a distance with binoculars or a telephoto lens. If tracks are observed, do not follow them towards the animal.

Be alert, make noise and carry bear spray. Learn more about keeping yourself safe.

The trails are shared in Yoho National Park, It means that you could see people classic or skate skiing while you are snowshoeing.

• The track set portion of the trail is for classic skiing only. No dogs are allowed on track set portions. The flat groomed lane is for other users.
• Read the trail descriptions as dogs are not permitted on certain trails. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times. Always pick up after your dog.
• When climbing, please yield the right of way to descending skiers or other users.
• If you fall, move off the track as quickly as possible.
• When taking a break, step to the side, leaving room for others to pass.
• Leave no trace. Pack out everything you pack in.

Important reminders:

• For all trails, be prepared as conditions can change quickly; easy and moderate trails can become difficult due to weather change, icy conditions or poor visibility.
• Estimated time to complete these trails ranges depending on activities, trail distances, fitness levels, weather and trail conditions.
• On most trails you will gain and lose elevation before you reach your destination. Elevation gain represents all the up and elevation loss all the down you will experience on a one-way hike.