Anif Peak

Anif Peak is a serious winter objective above Squamish, not a casual stroll. The loop clocks in around 17.2 km with roughly 1,392 m of gain to about 1,642 m, and it feels every bit of “very difficult.” Think long day out, heavy legs, and big mountain terrain, with a payoff that makes the grind worth it when the skies cooperate.

The route to Anif Peak starts on a forest service road, which eats up several kilometres before the real work begins. Once you leave the road and enter the forest, the trail pitches up sharply, with sections that feel close to 45 degrees as you gain the ridge. On clear winter days you’re rewarded with huge Coast Range views toward Sky Pilot, Mount Habrich, the Lions, and even Black Tusk, but clouds can roll in fast and completely shut down visibility at the summit.

Recent reports from winter and spring say the trail is usually straightforward to follow when there are existing tracks, but becomes tricky and tiring when new snow hides them. Expect post-holing if you’re too late in the season or start late in the day; snowshoes are strongly recommended after the first few kilometres, with crampons or spikes handy for the steep forested section and descent. The bushy section is manageable under snow but becomes extremely overgrown in summer, and locals now treat Anif Peak near Squamish almost exclusively as a winter snowshoe or ski tour. Go early, go prepared for full winter conditions, bring sunscreen for the exposed stretches, and don’t underestimate how long this loop will actually take.