It is situated 43 km (27 mi) north of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area.

The nearest higher peak is Archduke Mountain, one km (0.62 mi) to the east.

[2] The peak was named for its regal appearance, and for Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, as submitted by climber Curt Wagner who had climbed the mountain in 1967.

[3] Based on the Köppen climate classification, Emperor Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.

Precipitation runoff from Emperor Peak and meltwater from its glacier drains into tributaries of the Duncan River.