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11,339 ft · Winston Churchill Range, Alberta/British Columbia

Snow Dome

Snow Dome is an 11,339 ft peak in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta/British Columbia. The standard route is the Athabasca Glacier: 15 mi, 4,954 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Snow Dome in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta/British Columbia

Snow Dome at a glance

  • Elevation11,339 ft3,456 m
  • RouteAthabasca GlacierClass 3
  • Distance15 mi4,954 ft gain
  • Time13 – 15 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeWinston Churchill RangeAlberta/British Columbia

Climbing the Athabasca Glacier

From Jasper, drive 103 km south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) and park at the end of Toe of the Glacier Road, across from the Icefield Centre. Climb the Athabasca Glacier through its icefalls, take the ramp onto the Columbia Icefield, then curve around the southwest side of Snow Dome to its broad top. This is a class 3 glacier route, usually skied in spring. Crevasses, the icefalls and serac fall from Snow Dome are the main hazards, so rope up and carry rescue gear. Strong parties go car to car in a long day; many camp on the icefield. A Parks Canada pass is required, plus a Parks Canada wilderness pass if you camp.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy
  • Ice Axe
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Glacier travel
  • Crevasses
  • Icefall
  • Serac fall

Quests with Snow Dome

Peaks near Snow Dome

  1. Mount Kitchener

    Mount Kitchener

    11,499 ft · 2.1 mi away

  2. Mount Andromeda

    Mount Andromeda

    11,319 ft · 3.6 mi away

  3. Mount Athabasca

    Mount Athabasca

    11,453 ft · 4.7 mi away

  4. South Twin

    South Twin

    11,699 ft · 5.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Snow Dome?

Snow Dome is 11,339 feet (3,456 m) tall. It is in the Winston Churchill Range, Alberta/British Columbia.

How does Snow Dome rank among the Canadian Rockies 11,000ers?

At 11,339 feet, Snow Dome is the 22nd highest of the 54 Canadian Rockies 11,000ers. The highest is Mount Robson.

How hard is it to climb Snow Dome?

The Athabasca Glacier is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 15 miles with 4,954 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to climb Snow Dome?

Most people take 13 – 15 hours round trip on the Athabasca Glacier, covering 15 miles with 4,954 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Is Snow Dome dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger and crevasses on the glacier. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.

Do you need an ice axe for Snow Dome?

Plan on it. An ice axe is on the gear list for the Athabasca Glacier for the snow and ice on the upper mountain. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.

When is the best time to climb Snow Dome?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Snow Dome with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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