Let's get you there...

The Bell Cabin is located at the Alpine Club of Canada headquarters in Canmore Alberta.

Coming from out of western Canada? We suggest flying into the Calgary airport.

From Calgary, total drive time: 1 hr 17 mins

From Kelowna, total drive time: 6 hours

*MST time zone*

*Cell service and wifi available*

What's on the menu?

Breakfasts include:

• Eggs, sausage and hash browns
• Breakfast Burritos. 
• Extra gluten free and non-gluten free oatmeal as backup

Lunches include:

• Make your own sandwiches
• Group lunch at restaurant

Dinners include: 

• Friday no dinner
• Pasta
• Sunday no dinner

Snacks include: 

• Bars and Fruit on hike
• Fruit tray
• Veggie Tray
• Chips

Please fill out THIS FORM to submit your dietary restrictions. Form must be submitted no later than one week before the event to be accommodated.

Any dietary restrictions that are submitted within one week of the event may not be accounted for. 

Please note:

1. We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose free, and gluten free (not celiac), if you have any other dietary restrictions please clearly state so on the form above, and we will contact you for more information.
2. We do not provide vegan options.
3. Everything we eat is in a build-it-yourself format. 
4. If you are a snacker, bring your own snacks! You are welcome to bring any snacks you wish to supplement what is provided. 
5. We will do a roll call for allergies on site so everyone who brought extra snacks are aware of the allergies. 

There are so many hikes in the area!

From easy to difficult and everything in between, Glacier National Park is known for it's hikes.

We have two days to explore different hikes in the area. We will list some of the hikes here, but please keep your top options in mind. Don't set your plans in stone just yet. 

We ask on each hike that a minimum of 6 is followed at all times. We will discuss this more on Friday night. Because of this minimum, your plans will need to be flexible to fit with other attendees. 

We will bring information booklets of the hikes in the area for the entire group. These booklets will explain the elevation gain, distance, and other deciding factors of each hike. You do not need to print anything out or bring information of your own. We find that some blogs mis-represent the information of the hike. We will be using Parks Canada information only.

We will decide together which hikes each group wants to accomplish. But until then here are some hikes to start teasing you on your trip!

Easy:

Abandoned Rails Trail

Great Glacier Trail

Bear Creek Falls, Giant Cedars Boardwalk and Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk 

Meeting of the Waters

Moderate:

Balu Pass

Avalanche Crest

Difficult:

Abbott Ridge

Asulkan Valley

Mount Sir Donald

Hermit Trail

Perley Rock

Need a refresh?

Whether you're new to hiking or an veteran hiker, we want to help you prepare for this adventure!

Winter Hiking Tips:

1. Cut your toenails! We don't mean to sound like your mother, but this tends to be forgotten before hiking. Long toenails while hiking back down the mountain can turn downhill fun into downhill pain really quick!
2. Socks on socks. Double socking helps with blisters. Wearing a thin, high hiking sock underneath a second, lower hiking sock will help transfer the rubbing off your foot and to the two socks. The inner layer should be higher than the outter layer so that you can pull the sock tight if need be. 
3. Gators. Gators keep you dry, warm, and protected. Definitely suggested for winter hiking. 
4. Layer, so you can de-layer. Hiking should start a bit cold, get warmer, and get cold at the top. So layer up to prepare for it. Depending on the weather, it is not a bad thing to start a bit chilled, then delayering as you climb. Your legs and torso warm up as you climb, leaving you at the perfect temperature enjoying your hustle. 
5. Mitts, toques, buffs - all great things. 
6. Hiking poles for knee support. If you have bad knees, downhill can be painful! Support your knees with hiking poles to help with the pain. Winter poles should have snow baskets to keep you from sinking in.
7. Bring a down layer or a warm layer for the top. Down jackets or vests are light and easy to pack. Once you are at the top, the elevation, wind, sweat and lack of physical activity will cool your body quickly. A new layer for the summit is always a great idea.
8. Expect snow and waterproof. There is nothing worse than being caught in a storm, everything wet, cold, and miserable. 
9. Leave no trace. Products such as Kula Cloths, anti bacterial camp towels, waste containment pouches, and other items can help eliminate waste on the trial. 

What's in my pack?

Our founder Kieren shares some items you may want to consider bringing in your day pack:

1. Snacks - we provide an apple and a granola bar. You may find you need more with you. Please do not leave the wrapper or core behind.
2. Water bottles - for the day hike I will bring two full water bottles. Remember, water = life. But water also = weight, and water = ice!
3. A whistle - 3 whistle blows is an SOS sign
4. A beacon, and avy kit - just in case. Rentals are available at MEC. I have linked the Calgary south store here - but each store is different.
5. First aid kit - I personally like a full first aid kit when hiking with lots of people, but MEC has a great mini kit that has a lot of what you would need!  
6. A warm layer for the summit - I love my down jacket for the top. A gear swap store is a great place to find second hand down jackets. 
7. Sun Protection - because snowburn is real. 
8. Headlamp - there would be nothing worse than being stranded and the sun setting leaving you in the dark. Headlamps are always in my pack. 
9. A source of fire - waterpoof matches or a lighter are a great back up in a dire situation. 
10. Emergency shelter - I usually like to keep a small bivy on me just in case I spend the night outside accidentally. MEC has a cheap bivy that reflects body heat and is bright orange for rescuers to spot. 
11. Kula Cloth - I haaaaaate hiking somewhere and seeing old toilet paper. *insert vomit emoji here*

Knowledge is power...

Avalanches are no joke. And winter hiking can put you at risk of avalanches. 

We will be having an avalanche discussion when you arrive at the hut, but we want to share a few things ahead of time. 

This being said we are NOT a source for avalanche information. We encourage you to check out the online tutorial hosted by avalanche Canada, or take an AST 1 course. 

We will be basing our hikes off of Avalanche Canada's Mountain Weather Forecast before our trip. If the avalanche risk is too great, we have a ton of options locally to explore!

Additional Information

Level of Difficulty:

No previous experience is necessary but a general fitness level is needed. Hiking in snow is a bit more difficult than hiking in the summer. You will be able to choose from the selection of hikes that best suit your needs. You will need to carry your personal gear plus food and water for a short distance each day.

Please note: There is no guide present on this adventure. These hikes are taken at your own risk.

Transportation to hut is not provided.

This adventure will be cancelled if we do not have enough registrants. In the case of a cancellation, we will refund your ticket purchase.

There are no refunds after registration. 

You will be required to sign this waiver upon arrival. You do not need to print or prepare the waiver ahead of time, as it will be at the hut when you arrive. We have attached it here for your review. This waiver was also the terms and conditions you approved upon purchase.