What is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies?

The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies is Mount Robson. Rising to 3,954 metres, it stands in British Columbia within Mount Robson Provincial Park and is also the most prominent mountain in the entire Rocky Mountain range.

Mount Robson’s dramatic south face rises nearly 3,000 metres above the nearby Kinney Lake area. The mountain was likely named after fur trader Colin Robertson, although it was sometimes mistakenly linked to British Columbia premier John Robson. The Secwépemc name Yexyexéscen means “striped rock,” a reference to its distinctive appearance.

The first documented successful ascent took place on July 31, 1913, by Conrad Kain, William W. Foster and Albert H. McCarthy. Despite being below 4,000 metres, Mount Robson is a serious mountaineering challenge: poor weather, glaciers and steep ice make summit attempts difficult, with only about 10% reported to succeed.

A common mix-up is confusing the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies with the highest mountain in Canada. That title belongs to Mount Logan in the Saint Elias Mountains, far higher at 5,959 metres.