Peter and Catharine Whyte (Peyto) Hut

The Northern Extent of the Wapta

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, all of which are popular ascents in both summer and winter.

The hut is cozy for groups up to 18 (16 in winter) and has amazing views across the icefields.

The hut has no source of heat but it is well insulated and warms up nicely from the propane stoves.

The hut is situated on a bit of a moraine at the base of Mt. Thompson, but all access routes to the hut involve glacier travel. The easiest access is the 3-4 hour trip from the Bow Hut. Access from the Highway is via Peyto Lake and takes 5-8 hours.

Hikers without glacier travel experience can sign up for our Hut Discovery: Bow to Peyto trip under the supervision of an alpine guide. 

At A Glance

Location
General: The northern end of the Wapta Icefield, Banff National Park, Alberta
Map and Grid Reference: 
Hut Elevation: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
GPS:
Lat / Long:
Rates
Open: Open all year
Rates: $30 members, $40 others
Access
Quick Description: From Bow Hut or from the highway at Peyto Lake. All access routes to the hut require glacier travel.
Elevation Gain to Hut: 
Approach Time: 3-4 hours from Bow Hut. 5-8 hours via Peyto Lake.
Approach Description: Printable PDF
How To Book Check Availability

Other Huts in the Area

The Wapta Icefield is home to four ACC huts. See Bow, R.J. Ritchie (Balfour) and Scott Duncan huts.

Peyto Hut Fact: The first Peyto Hut was a fiberglass igloo built in the late 1960’s. It was wrecked by wolverines.

Hut Bookings

  • Reservations arerequired at all ACC huts.
  • ACC membership is not required to book huts. ACC members can book 12 months in advance. Non-members can book 30 days in advance
  • Call 403-678-3200 ext 0 to make a booking. We are open 8:30 am to 8:30 pm daily.
  • Please read our cancellation policies and consider cancellation and/or appropriate emergency medical insurance for your trip (link below).
Read Cancellation Policies
Get Travel/Cancellation Insurance

Rates

Per Night Adult Member $30
Per Night Adult Non-Member $40
Per Night Child Member $15
Per Night Child Non-Member $20

About rates

Facilities

18 (16 in winter)
Mattress pads provided, bring your own sleeping bag
Propane stovetops (propane supplied)
Outhouse
Propane lighting – propane is supplied
Unheated
Snow melt

Recreational Opportunities

Summer
  • Scrambling
  • Mountaineering
Winter
  • Ski Touring
  • Ski Mountaineering

Access

Important – All access routes to Peyto Hut require glacier travel. Appropriate knowledge, equipment and safety precautions are required.

From Bow Hut: Across the Wapta Icefield via straightforward glacier travel.  3 to 4 hours in good conditions.

Via Peyto Lake: From Highway 93, the route descends to and crosses Peyto Lake before approaching the Peyto Glacier from the North. Avalanche hazard in winter. 5-8 hours in good conditions.

Printable detailed approach description

References and Links

The Hut Experience

Staying in a backcountry hut is a shared, rustic experience. Sleeping, kitchen and living areas are communal, and foam mattresses, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Guests are 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.