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Find the best snow places with me. Cross-country ski conditions in Calgary, Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, and West Bragg Creek.
Ski Here!
2y ago
Ken Hewitt, who was instrumental in the success of the Kananaskis Grooming parking pass last winter, has provided an update on where the surplus funds will go.
The list below shows an excellent and constructive use of the surplus funds, and I’m surprised they were able to do this much with the money. I hope the WiFi at Pocaterra hut will result in some very timely reports from skiers.
2020-21 Kananaskis Parking Funds
During the 2020/2021 winter season, funds from the sale of parking passes and public donations enabled Nordiq Alberta to reimburse Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP ..read more
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3y ago
Valley.
Paradise Valley. Photo by Chuck
Thanks to Chuck for the report and photos. Chuck remarked... “Ski season is far from over in Banff National Park.” See all Chuck’s photos including another bird besides the Chickadee. I’ve probably seen a Savannah Sparrow somewhere but I didn’t know what it was.
Chickadee. Photo by Chuck
A lot of excitement today surrounding the announcement of the Kananaskis Conservation Pass. The new pass will cover grooming, so the Kananaskis Parking Pass will go down in history as a one-hit wonder. It was a #1 hit in my opinion. I’m surprised nobody a ..read more
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3y ago
A $15 day pass is also an option. The good news is that we won’t have to pay extra for ski grooming.
It will include the hiring of 20 new conservation officers and 50 new park employees, and the opening of a new emergency centre.
Among those exempt from the fee will be low-income earners and First Nations people.
There’s a press conference today at 1 pm but the Globe and Mail has already broken the story behind a paywall and you can read the story on my blog Alberta to impose $90 access fee ..read more
Ski Here!
3y ago
With Tessa at Nipika in 2011
This blog reached 1.8 million+ readers this winter, and logged 2.4 million page views.
The average winter readership over the past four years was 1.1 million.
Photo from 1999
Since starting the blog in 2008…
I’ve written 2854 updates.
28,750 comments have been submitted.
I don’t know what possessed me to log every ski trip and my distance traveled. Perhaps it encouraged me to try and do even more the following season. In any event, here are some final statistics:
My favourite trail, Tyrwhitt
Since I started skiing in 1997…
I’ve logg ..read more
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3y ago
Moose Connector at West Bragg Creek. Photo by Ray Yong
Thanks to Ray Yong for the photo and report from West Bragg Creek…
“Snow was thin at the trailhead but fine in the trees. It was wet and slightly sticky, but no problems with clumping or sticking. I was using my skin skis and the grip was fine. Made the mistake of trying mountain road – it’s really, really thin and rocky closer to the trailhead, so best to avoid that move! The snow isn’t melting in the covered trails, which is great, so it’s best to stick to the inner trails.
Lots of people walking all over the tr ..read more
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3y ago
Dylan Jones is looking for advice…
“I live in Woodbine in Calgary, and I’ve offered to help my community association potentially set up a ski trail/circuit in some park space that’s being underutilized. But I’ve got no idea what I’m doing lol!
I wanted to see if you could maybe help me out. Essentially I need to figure out what it takes to establish and maintain a ski trail: what equipment is needed? How much might it cost us? How much time/maintenance is required? etc.
Any tips you could help me out with would be really appreciated. I just recently got my family into the sport and am pretty n ..read more
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3y ago
Loggers at West Bragg Creek. Photo by Alf Skrastins
April 24, 2021
Thanks to Alf Skrastins for this report from West Bragg Creek: “5-7cm of new snow did fall at WBC. The base has melted out a bit more over this past week, but enough remains to allow for a nice ski on the core trails.”
West Crystal Line. Photo by Alf Skrastins
GMJ had this to say about yesterday’s skiing in PLPP(Whiskey Jack, Lookout, Upper Pocaterra, Packers): “Still remarkable good conditions for late April.”
A snowfall warning has been issued for Canmore and Kananaskis….
“A long duration snowfall event is exp ..read more
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3y ago
Lionel. Photo by Alf Skrastins
April 21, 2021
A few days ago, Alf Skrastins made a good case for resurrecting Lionel as a groomed ski trail The easiest, longest, most scenic beginner trail in Kananaskis.
The sky was overcast that day and his photos weren’t optimal for displaying the remarkable scenery along the trail. Yesterday, Alf returned to the scene and I’ve posted a few of the beautiful blue-sky photos. You can see more on Alf’s report. For those who are late to the game, Lionel is the closed portion of Hwy #40 from the winter gate to the Back Door, about 9K.
W ..read more
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3y ago
West Bragg Creek on April 19. Photo by Alf Skrastins
The recent snowfall produced a flurry of activity yesterday. Thanks for all the trip reports.
West Bragg Creek. Photo by Alf Skrastins
Alf Skrastins at West Bragg Creek…
“Did a short ski around the Crystal Line trails at WBC. The 12-14cm of new snow on the remaining base was enough for an enjoyable tour. This year saw lots of warm breaks, with marginal conditions… but 7 months after the big October dump, skiing is still possible. Might be even better at the end of this week.”
Helen Read
Farewell to ski sea ..read more
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3y ago
Moraine Lake road avalanche. Photo by Chuck
“It was a big one” – Chuck
Moraine Lake road avalanche. Photo by Chuck
All season long we caution skiers who go beyond the grooming on Moraine Lake road that you will be crossing avalanche paths. Now you see why. Thanks to Chuck for the spectacular photos.
In addition to the avalanche photos, Chuck’s pictures show tracks in the snow from five different animals as well as a magnificent shot of Mt Temple.
There is no more grooming on MLR, but as Chuck’s photos display, there’s still the warning sign when you reach 9K. Now that the avala ..read more