Mount Assiniboine
Nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies,” Mt. Assiniboine is one of Canada’s most stunning peaks. This 11,870-foot (3,619-meter pyramidal peak towers over its neighbors and is the focal point of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Hikers, photographers, and mountain climbers from all over the world are drawn to the mountain’s beauty and solitude.
The basics
Visitors prize Mt. Assiniboine’s remoteness and just getting to the base of the mountain involves plenty of adventure. Assiniboine lies in an area of the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park that has no roads, making hiking or flying the only routes in. Once there, serious rock climbers can head for the summit and hikers and photographers can explore the trails around the peak.
There are two main ways to hike into the park, via the Mount Shark trailhead south of Canmore or from Sunshine Village. Both are 16-19 miles (26-30 kilometers) each way. Lodging options include camping, dorm-style huts, and lodge-style accomodations at the Mount Assiniboine Lodge.
Things to know before you go
- Mt. Assiniboine is a must-see for nature lovers and adventure travelers.
- Reservations for the Mount Assiniboine Lodge need to be made the summer before your intended visit. Camping reservations can be made four months in advance.
- Don’t forget bear spray and bear bells; Mount Assiniboine is located in grizzly bear country.
- Mt Assiniboine is remote; there is no cell service or Wi-Fi in the park.
How to get there
Mt. Assiniboine is located on the border of Canada’s British Columbia and Alberta provinces within Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and Banff National Park. There are no roads near the peak, which can only be reached by hiking or helicopter.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Summer season on Mt. Assiniboine typically runs from the end of June through the last weekend in September and winter season runs from early February through March. Opening seasons are dependent on snowpack and weather conditions. Advanced reservations are needed for campsites in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and the Mount Assiniboine Lodge.
The Mount Assiniboine Lodge
Built in 1928 at the base of Mt. Assiniboine, this rustic mountain lodge was North America’s first backcountry ski lodge and to this day is only accessible by hiking, skiing, or helicopter charter. The lodge features private cabins and cozy lodge rooms with communal-style meals and an afternoon tea included. The lodge offers guided hiking trips in the summer and ski tours during the winter months.