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Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

What’s New in 2026 The Basics Accommodation Getting to the trailhead Skiing or snowshoeing Day trip from Elk Lakes cabin Return trip to Elk Lakes trailhead Winter in the Rockies Articles

Richard Campbell

Jul 29, 2026

Richard is the Founder of 10Adventures, and as a writer shares his experience from 30+ years exploring the world by foot, bike, ski, and boat.

Elk Lakes Cabin is spectacular. Imagine a log cabin in a winter paradise of powdery snow and beautiful scenery and you get the idea. A trip to Elk Lake Cabin is a great weekend getaway in the Canadian Rockies. So grab your snowshoes or backcountry skis and head for this spectacular area along the border between Alberta and British Columbia, an easy drive from Calgary.

Upper and Lower Elk Lakes are breathtaking at any time of year, but in the winter, you’ll experience the peace and quiet of nature at rest. Get away from it all with a stay in the Elk Lakes cabin, where you’ll keep warm with cozy wood fires and relax by the light of propane lamps. Enjoy snowy adventures by day and cozy tranquility by night!

This Elk Lakes backcountry adventure is the perfect winter getaway. If you’re planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, this is a great option to add a couple of nights in a beautiful log cabin.

What’s New in 2026

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for any vehicle parked in Kananaskis Country, including the Elk Pass trailhead. Passes are $15 per day or $90 per year and are registered to your licence plate.
Buy the pass online before you leave. There is no reliable cell service on Highway 40 south of the winter gate.
The fine for parking without a pass is $150 for a personal vehicle.
Alpine Club of Canada huts in BC provincial parks can be booked by members and non-members up to 180 days ahead, at the same rate. Membership is not required.
A $2 per person per night transaction fee applies to BC provincial park hut bookings, plus $20 per booking if you live outside British Columbia.

The Basics

XC trail into Elk Lakes Cabin

Arriving at Elk Pass on the way to Elk Lakes Cabin

Closest International Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Closest Town: Canmore

Start: Elk Pass parking lot on Kananaskis Lakes Trail, off of Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail)

Accommodations: Alpine Club of Canada’s Elk Lakes cabin

Permit: A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for any vehicle parked in Kananaskis Country, including the Elk Pass trailhead. Buy it online before you leave, because there is no reliable cell service on Highway 40 south

Length: 11 km (2-4 hours) each way

When to go: Elk Lakes Cabin is open year-round. For skiing, you can usually start heading out there in November thru to April.

Gear to use: Snowshoes, XC skis or backcountry skis (light touring or alpine touring). We personally wouldn’t want to do the trip in XC skis, but many people do.

Avalanche safety: The groomed Alberta section is low-angle, but once you cross into British Columbia you are in uncontrolled avalanche terrain, and the ski touring around the cabin ranges from flat valley tours to serious ski mountaineering. Check the Avalanche Canada forecast for the Kananaskis region before you go, carry a transceiver, probe and shovel, and know how to use them. Our guide to staying safe in winter covers the basics, and our Avalanche Skills Training course in the Canadian Rockies is a good place to start.

Winter views of Elk Lakes Cabin on Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

Wood Chopping at Elk Lakes Cabin

Accommodation – Elk Lakes Cabin

Reserve a night in Elk Lakes Cabin, a cozy, rustic cabin for a quick winter getaway. Ski or snowshoe into this beautiful area, surrounded by rugged peaks, to truly get away from it all. The Elk Lakes cabin is heated by a wood stove, and abundant firewood is provided to keep you comfortable.

The cabin is located in Elk Lakes Provincial Park in British Columbia, but its proximity to the Alberta border means that it is best accessed through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (Alberta), with the trailhead near Upper Kananaskis Lake. In summer you can drive to within a short walk of the cabin from the BC side, but in winter that road is not maintained, so the ski or snowshoe from Kananaskis is the only practical approach. Our Elk Lakes and Petain Basin backpacking route guide covers the same area in summer.

After dark, propane lights provide a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere. There is no indoor plumbing, but an outhouse is available and water can be found in a nearby stream or by melting snow. Cooking equipment is provided, including a propane stove and oven, pots, pans, dishes, and utensils. The second floor sleeping area has foam mattresses. You’ll need to bring your own food and sleeping bags.

The Elk Lakes cabin provides accommodations with basic amenities for up to 14 people. Sleeping is upstairs in a communal sleeping area, so bring earplugs.

Reservations are required at the Elk Lakes Cabin. You can get information on booking an ACC hut here.

Enjoying the tranquility at Elk Lakes Cabin in winter

The cooking area at Elk Lakes Cabin

Getting to the Trailhead

If you are traveling by air, fly to the Calgary International Airport and rent a car for the beautiful drive to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. From Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) heading west, go south on Highway 40 (at the Stoney Nakoda Casino) and follow Highway 40 for 50 km. At the winter gate turn right onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Continue to the Elk Pass parking lot.

The trailhead for Elk Lakes Cabin is about 150 km from Calgary Airport and the drive takes about 2 hours. To get an earlier start, spend the night in Canmore, which is a 1-hour drive (90 km) from the trailhead. For more on the area, see our Kananaskis hiking and trip planning guide.

Beautiful dusk and cozy evening near fireplace at Elk Lakes Cabin

Reading at Elk Lakes Cabin on Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

Skiing or Snowshoeing to Elk Lakes Cabin

The total trip to Elk Lakes Cabin is 11km one-way, with 240m of elevation gain and loss. Most people get to Elk Lakes Cabin from Kananaskis Country. You start the trip from the Elk Pass parking lot, which is near Upper Kananaskis Lake.

From the Elk Pass parking area, consult the posted maps to plan and verify your route. The trail begins as a track-set cross-country skiing trail. After a short section of trail that is flat, there is a significant uphill followed by a downhill stretch. The track-set portion of the trail is about 6 km long and gains about 200 m of elevation. Please note that those using snowshoes should ensure they don’t step on the XC ski track. That groomed section is part of the Peter Lougheed trail network, which we cover in our Kananaskis cross-country skiing route guides.

The track ends at the border as you enter British Columbia and Elk Lakes Provincial Park. After a big snow dump the trail can be difficult to follow, and having a GPS track to follow can help, as the trail meanders for about 5 km downhill, crossing the power line several times. At the bottom of the power line, follow signs for a short distance to reach the Elk Lakes cabin.

Looking down from Sleeping area at Elk Lakes Cabin

Skiing around Elk Lakes on Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

Day trip from Elk Lakes Cabin

While many people come into Elk Lakes Cabin only for one night, it’s really worth spending at least one day (and an additional night) exploring the area around Elk Lakes Cabin. A great day trip is to explore the stunning Elk Lakes themselves.

To reach the Lower Elk Lake, follow one of two marked trails through the forest. The first option can be found directly across from the cabin door on the far side of the creek. It begins with a steep ascent and ends by following the creek to reach the lake. The second option begins by following the creek north for about 100 m before turning west into the forest. Both trails are fun and easy and you are sure to enjoy the incredible views and the sounds of birds in the trees.

Watch for tracks in the snow and other signs of wildlife in the area. Follow the right bank of the lake, cross the bridge and find the sign where the trail splits. The left trail leads up to a spectacular viewpoint. Take time to admire the vista before taking the trail to the right, which leads to Upper Elk Lake and more breathtaking mountain views.

This ski tour to Upper and Lower Elk Lakes is an easy 4 km trail, round trip, and it only takes about 1-2 hours to complete it. Leave your gear in the cabin to travel light, but don’t forget your camera to capture the awe-inspiring views you will encounter along the way. If you would rather be on snowshoes, our Kananaskis snowshoeing route guides cover nearby options.

Quiet day in Elk Lakes Cabin during the winter

Reading and candlelight at Elk Lakes Cabin on Elk Lakes Backcountry Skiing Adventure

Return Trip to Elk Lakes Trailhead

From the Elk Lakes cabin, follow the same trail back to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the Elk Pass parking lot. The return route involves more uphill skiing so it may take longer to reach the groomed ski track on the Alberta side of the border.

You’ll return to your car invigorated by the exercise, refreshed from your rustic getaway, and with your head, heart, and a camera full of incredible mountain scenery.