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The Alpine Club of Canada

Scott Duncan Hut

Scott Duncan Hut

The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. This was the final hut to be established on the Wapta Icefield, a very nice addition to the chain of huts which now makes the Wapta Traverse one of the classiest and most comfortable ski traverses in all of North America! Balfour Hut is also a great base for a number of climbing objectives in the summer. See all of our huts here.

At A Glance

Trail distance: 26 km from Bow Lake    
Elevation Gain: 610m
Trailhead: Bow Lake or Sherbrooke Lake, Banff National Park  
Family Friendly: No
Activities: Backcountry skiing, Ski-mountaineering, Mountaineering
Technical Considerations: Glacier Travel, Avalanche Terrain; ATES Class 3

At the southern end of the Wapta Icefield, the Scott Duncan Hut is the final stopover for most groups traversing the Wapta. Its location allows skiers to more safely descend to the highway in the earlier hours of the day. Most groups access the Scott Duncan Hut from the Balfour Hut. Alternatively, it is possible to access the hut from Sherbrooke Lake and begin the Wapta Traverse from the south.

Capacity: 12
Hut Location: 51.5282, -116.4027
Heat: Unheated
Light: Propane
Stove: Propane
Oven: No
Mattress: Yes
Open: Year-round

The Hut Experience

Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal. Guests area expected to bring their own sleeping bags, food and personal items.

All of our huts are user-maintained, meaning that the custodial work of keeping the hut clean, chopping firewood and shovelling snow is done by the guests. The ACC provides major service and renovations to all of our huts each year to ensure they are in good repair.

There are no transition days between bookings. Guests are responsible to sanitize before and after use of the huts.

Download our hut cleaning and sanitation guidelines here.

THE SOUTHERN END OF THE WAPTA

This was the final hut to be established on the Wapta Icefield, a very nice addition to the chain of huts which now makes the Wapta Traverse one of the classiest and most comfortable ski traverses in all of North America! Yes, it is that good.

Most people make the Scott Duncan their final stopover when tackling the traverse, climbing over the Balfour High Col from the Balfour Hut then descending the Schiesser/Lomas route to Sherbrooke Lake after a night at the Duncan. Some folks will approach the hut from Sherbrooke and make it a base for the many objectives in the area, the most common being an attempt on Mt. Balfour via the normal route from the south.

The hut sleeps 12 both summer and winter and is well-equipped with propane stoves and lanterns, cooking supplies and foamies on the beds.

OTHER HUTS IN THE AREA

The Wapta Icefield is home to four ACC huts. See Whyte (Peyto), Bow and RJ Ritchie (Balfour) huts.

SCOTT DUNCAN HUT VIDEO – WAPTA TRAVERSE

MEMBER RATES

Pricing is subject to change without notice.

NON-MEMBER RATES

Pricing is subject to change without notice.

Summer (May 1 to October 30)
**Bookings are open for single or multiple night reservations with no schedule and no minimum number of nights.
There are no “transition days” in between bookings. All parties are responsible to sanitize the hut on arrival and before departing.
There are no COVID upgrades at these facilities. Guests should bring their own hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, etc.

FACILITIES

Sleeping Capacity: 12

Bedding: Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag

Cooking: Propane stovetops (propane supplied). Pots and pans, dishware and cutlery are provided.

Bathroom: Outhouse

Lighting: Propane lighting – propane is supplied

Heat: Unheated

Water Source: Snow melt

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Summer

  • Mountaineering

Winter

  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Access to the Scott Duncan Hut is most often done from the Balfour Hut. It is possible to access the hut, and begin the Wapta Traverse from the south.

From the Balfour Hut: Over Balfour High Col and down the glacier toward Mt. Daly.

From West Louise Lodge: The route follows the east side of Sherbrooke Lake and follows Niles Creek.

Quick Description: From the North via the RJ Ritchie (Balfour) Hut or from the South (West Louise Lodge on the #1 Highway).

Approach Description: Printable PDF

ACC Members may make reservations up to 6 months in advance. To access this benefit, please LOG IN to your membership account and follow the prompts.

If you are not an active member, you may SIGN-UP to join a community of alpine enthusiasts.

Non-Members are welcome to make reservations up to 3 months in advance.

Please call our reservation team at 403-678-3200 ext. 0 if you are looking to make a booking within 1-week of check-in. 

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References And Links