Earning turns at Rogers Pass

Much to the shared chagrin of my local neighbors, skiing has been the last thing on my mind this winter. That was until some good friends phoned from British Columbia, relaying fantastic news of a deep snowpack and decreased avalanche hazard. Without hesitation, we made plans and headed for the border. Rogers Pass is located a hair undersix6 hours northeast of the Flathead Valley and boasts its own expansive Glacier National Park, complete with accessible, glaciated terrain as far as the eye can see.

You only get a first time at Rogers once, so they say. For climbing partner Adam Cazell and I, this would be our first trip to Rogers that we wouldn’t soon forget. Joining forces with local Flathead Valley skier Nick Sramek and mutual friend Alex Glenn, we rendezvoused at Golden, B.C.’s Tim Horton’s, then rallied north for the pass. What awaited was a backcountry skier’s dream, complete with jutting north faces of cold rock, miles of vertical backcountry skiing, and glaciers the size of city blocks. 

The best part? No approach! A true blessing for us Flathead skiers, who are used to hiking all day and night to reach steep alpine terrain. 

Our first objective would be the south couloir of Sifton Peak, which, during arrival and leaving the car, was enveloped in a dense cloud that would hold throughout the morning. Regardless, we began weaving through old-growth forests and shortly reached the treeline where the alpine terrain we traveled here for awaited. The dense cloud enveloping Sifton eventually lifted, and not a moment too soon, as the flat light made for difficult travel through the Sifton Glacier.

Standing below the steepening cleft of snow reaching from the summit, we donned crampons and ice axes before climbing up the snow-filled couloir and methodically zigging and zagging our way up the steepening snow. We eventually reached the ridgecrest, where a short scramble to the true summit beckoned. From above, the expansive terrain of Rogers Pass stood solemnly, unaware of the inspiration it was filling my heart and soul with. 

Dropping in one by one from the steep precipice atop the couloir, my friends assured me of the quality skiing as their whoops and hollers could be heard from the top to the bottom of Sifton. Regrouping on the Sifton Glacier below, deep smiles were present across every skier’s face. Splendid boot-top powder for nearly 6,000 feet of vertical skiing back to the car made for one of the most memorable, and leg-burning backcountry ski runs of my life.

Reaching the parking lot a mere hour from the start of our descent, the sun decided to join us and bask us in its warming rays. Every piece of gear and article of clothing from our wet bags was laid out on the concrete as we did the same, soaking in the sun, trying to wrap our heads around the perfect ski line we stood atop hours before. I’d say it doesn’t get any better for a first day at Rogers Pass than that.

    Nick Sramek, Alex Glenn, and Adam Cazell below the group's eventual ski line on Mount Sifton in the Roger's Pass area of B.C.'s Glacier National Park. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY   

    Logan Gabrielson works his way down the central gully of Avalanche Peak in the Roger's Pass area of B.C.'s Glacier National Park. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY   

    Alex Glenn nears the summit of Avalanche Peak in the Roger's Pass area of B.C.'s Glacier National Park. Seth Anderson Photo.
 SETH ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY