Its nearest higher peak is Roche Noire, 8.5 km (5.3 mi) to the east.

Fitzwilliam is a prominent landmark seen from eastbound Highway 16 before travelers enter Jasper National Park from the west entrance.

The mountain was named on July 8, 1863 by Walter Cheadle after Viscount Milton (1839–1877) whose father was William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 6th Earl Fitzwilliam.

They later co-authored "The North-West Passage by Land"[5] and " Voyage de l'Atlantique au Pacifique, à travers le Canada",[6] which described their expedition in considerable detail.

The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing this mountain.