Winter Activities
© Dayne Jones
The Log Cabin parking lot is the most common staging area for winter activities in Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. The parking lot may not always cleared after heavy snowfalls.
Log Cabin
There is an outhouse adjacent to the parking lot, but please pack out your garbage. Camping is allowed in the parking lot in the winter. Permits are not required. Fires are permitted in the parking lot if contained in a fire pan and users bring their own wood. Open fires are prohibited at all other locations within the National Historic Site. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
Cross Country Skiing
Buckwheat Ski race © Parks Canada
Whether you are a novice or a veteran - whether you want to ski for an hour, a day or a week – the Log Cabin parking lot is an excellent starting point for cross country skiing in the White Pass area. The Father Mouchet/Buckwheat Ski Trails, home to the annual Buckwheat Ski race, begin across the tracks from the Log Cabin parking lot and are packed and maintained by volunteers through the winter. Cross country skiers may also follow the White Pass & Yukon Route right of way towards Bennett. Please be respectful of other users: move to the side of the trail to allow snowmobiles and dog teams to pass.
Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
Log Cabin Mountain is the most popular area within Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site for alpine touring, telemark skiing and backcountry snowboarding. Most skiers follow the Historic Site boundary cut line directly through the trees above the parking lot.
The terrain on the lower third of the mountain is generally low angled (<15 degrees), with gladed trees and open meadows. Above treeline the terrain steepens, with the central area providing the easiest ski touring access to the summit; several route options exist. This is avalanche terrain. Parks Canada has rated Log Cabin Mountain using the Avalanche Terrain Evaluation Scale.
Other options for touring exist throughout the site. Contact Parks Canada for more information.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiles at Bennett © Panya Lipovsky
The Winter Recreation Strategy permits snowmobiling in Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site during specified times. Consult the Winter Use Schedule.
Restricted Activity Areas are in effect at Bennett and Lindeman to protect historic resources. Snowmobiling and random camping are not allowed in these areas. Please be respectful of other visitors:
- Travel at reasonable speeds in high use areas
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Reduce speed when approaching skiers and snowshoers
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Yield right of way to dog teams
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Do not cross above others traveling in avalanche terrain.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is also a popular pastime in the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. If you are following the ski trails, please avoid skiers' tracks, by walking to the side or setting off on your own trail.
Dog Sledding
Dog sleds may be used for day trips or overnight stays in the National Historic Site. Mushers are encouraged to contact Parks Canada if this is their first trip into the Chilkoot area. Dogs can carry the Giardia parasite, so teams should be tethered at least 100 m away from any water body.
Winter Camping
Building a snow cave © Peter Mather
Winter camping is permitted in the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site. Unlike the summer, you do not need to stay in designated campgrounds. You are encouraged to contact Parks Canada to discuss your overnight trip plans.
In the winter the Chilkoot Trail is not marked or maintained as a route and a bridge advisory is in effect. Be competent in route selection and self-sufficient if you are embarking on an overnight trip. Please note that Happy Camp is located in an avalanche runout zone and is not a recommended winter camp.
There is an open-sided shelter at the Bare Loon Campground that is available for overnight use on a first come, first served basis. Except in an emergency, open fires are not permitted in the park. Backpacking stoves, or woodstoves in the Lindeman shelters are your only source of heat on the Canadian side of the trail.
Seasonal Restricted Activity Areas at the Bennett City and Lindeman City townsites protect sensitive historic features. Access to the Bennett shelter and overland access between the Lindeman shelters is by ski and snowshoe only.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is prohibited within the boundaries of Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site.