On a multi-day backcountry ski on the north to south Wapta Traverse, we changed our route:

Most skiers will do this trip in reverse and we have hiked into Bow Hut from Bow Lake this way too.   One one of our trips, though, we found ourselves at Balfour Hut in poor conditions and chose to ski out to Bow Hut, then down to Bow Lake.

In whiteout conditions, we compassed our way up Vulture Glacier onto the Wapta Icefield.   At one point we steered too close to the Olive-Nicholas wall, and we saw the biggest millwell we have ever seen!   It was like a giant frozen whirlpool descending into the glacier.   We gave it a wide berth and stayed farther out into the middle of the glacier.   We crested the Nicholas-Olive col, watching for crevasses and rock or ice fall spots.    Farther on, away from Nicholas, we started an enjoyable ski down to Bow Hut for lunch.

The route down from Bow Hut is fairly straightforward, but requires some good turning skills.   From Bow Hut, we followed the ridge south, then used tight telemark turns down the steep ridge to get to the upper creek canyon.   The summer route through here has to climb the sides of the gorge, but we were able to ski right down the creek for much of the route, veering off to the side slopes where it became too steep.   Passing Bow Falls, we followed the outlet stream to Bow Lake and the Banff-Jasper Highway.   The ski down is not for beginners.   Anyone can ski up on skins, but an ability to make tight turns is needed on this route down to the road.