Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National Park
Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National Park

Healy Pass Snowshoe Trail

Banff National Park
View Photos
Beautiful route of the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkWinter views of the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkCrossing an avalanche run on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkA pretty meadow along the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkThe Monarch on the left just below Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkMeadows below the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkApproaching the pass on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkContouring on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkPeaks northeast of the pass on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkPeak on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkStunning scenery from the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkApproaching the peak on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkViews from the top of Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkSkoki from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkView east from the peak on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkMount Bourgeau view from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkMount Rundle view from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkGoats Eye from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkGreat Divide Chair from the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkViews from the Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkEgypt and Scarab Lakes from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkView south from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkThe Monarch from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkMount Assiniboine from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkAlpine meadows near Sunshine Village on Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkNorth Ridge from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkStunning views from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National ParkWay down from Healy Pass snowshoe trail Banff National Park

Healy Pass Snowshoe Trail

Distance: 12.2mi
Elevation: 2,851ft
Time: 6-10h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.8 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

Snowshoeing to Healy Pass is a great day out in winter, and a fantastic break from the busy ski hills. The trail to Healy Pass is popular and often packed down thanks to its popularity. The expansive views of the vast meadows of Healy Pass and Sunshine Meadows make this a fantastic snowshoe trip.

Healy Pass Snowshoe Trail Map

Getting there

Drive 4.8mi west of Banff on Trans-Canada and take the Sunshine Village exit. Drive 15.0mi on this lovely road to Sunshine Village ski resort.  Drive to the back of the parking lot, past the lodge and park there.

I’ve done this 13 people have done this
I want to do this 16 want to do this route

About

When to do

December - April

Mountain Huts

None

Toilets

Trailhead

Pets allowed

Yes - On Leash

Avalanche Risk

Challenging

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Out and back


Healy Pass
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Healy Pass

Anyone on a snowshoe trip should have Avalanche training, we recommend AST 2 for all backcountry travellers, and AST 1 is the minimum. It is important to note that when travelling through avalanche terrain it is extremely valuable to always have a companion. You can download a list of Avalanche Terrain Ratings from Parks Canada on their site.

You will usually need to tell the parking lot attendants for Sunshine Village that you are snowshoeing to Healy Pass, as they don’t let Sunshine Visitors park at the rear parking lot. From the parking lot, walk behind the main lodge and gondola base, looking for a trail kiosk under a large retaining wall. This is where you can put on your snowshoes and begin the day!

This trail is popular, so there should be a well-packed trail here. You will be following the summer hiking trail, so the route will be familiar for many hikers.

Thanks to the popularity of Healy Pass for snowshoers and ski-tourers, you should be able to move quickly on the well-packed trail towards Healy Meadows. The trail crosses the run out zones of three avalanche paths, remember your AST training and spread out and move quickly going through avalanche run-outs. It is important to be aware of your surroundings, and read the terrain as you continue along the trail. You will pass two small bridges along the route to Healy Meadows.

Once reaching the meadows, you’ll be able to catch some sun for the ascent to Healy Pass. Enjoy the scenery here, as this is where the views begin to grow.

Continue towards Healy Pass, you’ll usually be following a mixture of fresh and old ski tracks, gently gaining elevation in the open meadows. The grade steepens as you gain elevation, but still remains relatively gentle. Be cautious here, as this area can see strong winds, sweeping the snow right off the rocks.

Our snowshoes had no trouble getting up to Healy Pass, but an earlier group of skiers had evidently abandoned their skis low down and post holed their way to the top. In high risk conditions, be sure to stay on the main trail, avoiding any potential avalanche hazards.

The average snowshoer in good conditions should be able to reach Healy Pass within three to four hours. It can be cold on top of Healy Pass, as it is quite exposed, but this makes for excellent views. We continued on past Healy Pass towards Healy Pass Peak. Do not attempt this ascent unless you are trained, equipped and experienced in avalanche terrain.

For our day, we reached the summit of Healy Pass Peak four hours after leaving the car. We’d traveled very quickly for the first 4.3mi, but had slowed down considerably in the meadows as we tired a bit, broke a bit of new trail, and just soaked in the scenery. It was a bit cold on the summit, but the views under the clear blue sky were absolutely fantastic in all directions and we hung around for 20 minutes before starting a very leisurely descent.

The return trip is quite pleasant, offering great views from the pass down to the meadows. Enjoy the packed trail back on the route you came in from.

Insider Hints

  • Keep in mind this trail is accessed via the same roads and parking as Sunshine Ski Resort, which means it will be very busy on the drive and in the parking lot. Get there early to get a good spot!

  • Snowshoeing in the Banff takes you into remote terrain. Make sure you are prepared for an emergency with warm clothes, extra food, matches and ideally a satellite transceiver, like a Garmin InReach. Cell phones do not work until you get to Canmore.

  • Always check the avalanche forecast for Banff before heading out.

Comments

Elmer J. 4 years ago

The Canadian Rockies are full of incredible hikes! This one included.

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
noraliu 5 years ago

It looked like an old postcard photograph! No filter is needed!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Tomcote 5 years ago

Fresh air all around! Smell pine and cedar in the forest, such great scent!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
oskareglq 5 years ago

The surroundings are immensly beautiful. Such a heart-warming hike!

10.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
Lisa B 6 years ago

Healy Pass is one of my favourite places - summer and winter!

9.0 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty
5 Comments

Similar Snowshoe Trails to the Healy Pass Snowshoe Trail

Shadow Lake Trail

Shadow Lake Snowshoe

Difficulty:
21.3mi
3333ft
8-10h

The Shadow Lake Snowshoe Trail is rated as difficult due to its distance. It is a well-graded trail that leads…

Sulphur Mountain Trail

Sulphur Mountain Snowshoe

Difficulty:
8.1mi
2972ft
4-5h

Snowshoeing the Sulphur Mountain Trail via Cosmic Ray Road will take you from valley bottom to the summit of Sulphur…

Scenery from Taylor Lake and Panorama Meadows snowshoe trail in Banff National Park

Taylor Lake and Panorama Meadows

Difficulty:
9.8mi
2477ft
5-8h

A snowshoe trip to Taylor Lake, which sits at the base of Mount Bell, is a beautiful sight. Be sure…