Rogers Pass Winter Permit System Explained (2026)
If you've been researching a Rogers Pass ski touring trip, you've almost certainly encountered the Winter Permit System. It's one of the most common sources of confusion for first-time visitors, and one of the most important things to understand before you go.
Here is a clear, current explanation of how it works.
Why the Permit System Exists
Rogers Pass is located in the heart of the world's largest mobile avalanche control program. Parks Canada uses explosive artillery shells, fired from a helicopter or ground-based launchers, to trigger controlled avalanches on slopes above the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway. This reduces the likelihood of natural avalanches affecting the road or railway.
The slopes being controlled are the same slopes that backcountry skiers want to ski. The Winter Permit System was created in 1995 to manage this conflict. It allows skiers to access some of these areas when artillery operations are not planned or anticipated.
What You Need
To ski in Rogers Pass backcountry, every member of your group needs two things:
- A Glacier National Park Pass, purchased online, at Summit Station at Rogers Pass, or in Revelstoke at the Parks Canada office. This covers your park entry for the day (or year, if you buy an annual Discovery Pass).
- A Winter Permit, previously obtained at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, now obtained online or at Summit Station. As of the 2025–26 season, Winter Permits are required for all backcountry access in Glacier National Park, including areas that were previously Unrestricted. This is a significant change from prior seasons.
You must complete a short online quiz before your permit is issued. The quiz covers the basics of the permit system. It takes about 10 minutes and you only need to do it once. Annual permits are available and are a good choice if you plan to visit more than once.
How the Zones Work
The permit system divides Rogers Pass into three types of zones:
Winter Unrestricted Areas: Always open to backcountry users with a permit. These areas fall outside the active avalanche control footprint.
Winter Restricted Areas: Open or closed on a daily basis, depending on whether artillery fire is planned. The status is updated each morning by approximately 7:00 AM Pacific Time. You must check the Rogers Pass Backcountry Access interactive map before heading out. Do not assume a zone is open based on yesterday's status or the fact that conditions remain the same.
Winter Prohibited Areas: Always closed to backcountry users. These are areas where the risk of conflict with the control program is unacceptable.
Checking Zones Before You Go
The Rogers Pass Backcountry Access interactive map is the tool you need. It is updated daily and shows which zones are open, closed, or restricted. It is available on the Parks Canada website and is GPS-enabled, which means you can check your position relative to zone boundaries while in the field. Bookmark it before your trip.
Compliance is Critical
The Winter Permit System only works if every backcountry user complies 100% of the time. Violations, such as entering restricted areas or ignoring closures, result in fines and can lead to permanent area closures for recreational users. This is not a theoretical concern: the system has survived for 30 years because the backcountry community has, for the most part, treated it seriously. But with the growth of skier numbers in Rogers Pass, infractions have increased, leading to reduced access and extended closures of some winter restricted areas. 100% compliance is required.
Enter prohibited or closed areas and you are not just risking your own safety. You are risking access for everyone.
Guided Trips and the Permit System
One significant advantage of a guided day in Rogers Pass is that permit logistics are handled for you. Your guide is familiar with the zone system, checks the map every morning, and selects terrain that is open, appropriate for conditions, and right for your group. If you're visiting Rogers Pass for the first time, this alone is worth the cost of a guided day. Contact Brad to plan your trip →