Welcome back to SkiHere.ca!
I thought summer would never end! Only about six more weeks and we’re skiing again. I have lots of news to share, so let’s get started.
I’ve shortened the address of this blog – it is now known as SkiHere.ca. It was always hard for people to remember the old address, skihere.wordpress.com, especially if you were telling someone out on the trail. If you do a search on google, we come up as number one in the results simply with the word skihere.
For the best conditions, check SkiHere.ca!
Last winter when I started this blog I never imagined the popularity it would achieve by the end of ski season. We had over 17,000 views and 34 contibutors. Those numbers illustrate that skiers are interested in knowing where the best conditions are, and better yet, in sharing their knowledge and experiences with the rest of us. I’ve made a list at the bottom of this post of everyone who sent in comments last year. I hope you will all continue to send in your reports, and consider coming on a ski trip with me this year.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ve re-joined the Calgary Ski Club(CSC) and will be organizing recreational day trips throughout the winter. I was Nordic Director of the CSC in the winter of 2003-2004 and it was a very enjoyable year for me and the members with numerous day trips, weekend trips, bus trips, and new events. I’m looking forward to renewing old acquaintances as well as meeting a lot of new members who share my passion for skiing and having fun.
Everyone is welcome – If you’re not a member of the CSC, you can come on a trip to check us out before joining. Mark these dates on your calendar for ski trips which I will be co-ordinating*(destination will be wherever the snow conditions are best):
Sun Nov 22
Sat Nov 28
Sat Dec 19
Sun Dec 20
Sat Dec 26
*Subject to snow availability. Additional trips will be announced here and on the CSC website.
The CSC website is http://www.calgaryskiclub.org
You can receive updates from the ski club even if you are not a member: Send me updates
The CSC is working on upgrading their website to be more user-friendly; I expect to be able to announce a trip on short notice depending on where the best snow conditions are. Until that’s up and running, I’ll be using this blog frequently to announce trips, so check in regularly.
“Can I keep up?”
I want to extend a special welcome for beginners/novices, anyone who is just learning to ski, or just wants to go at a relaxed pace. One of the most frequent concerns I hear from skiers is “will I be able to keep up with the group?” There will be special trips just for you. No one gets left behind! I expect we’ll have multi-level trips where I stay with the novice skiers to help them with route-finding, waxing, gear issues, and moral support. Looking forward to going with a friendly, enthusiastic group is just the incentive you need to get yourself motivated on a cold morning.
If you have any questions about daytrips, gear, or skiing in general, you are always welcome to email me at bobtruman@shaw.ca, or call me at 403-650-2514.
If you can co-ordinate a trip, please let me know.
Early Season – will you be ready?
If you need to buy gear, don’t wait too much longer. The stores should have their skis on display shortly. Also keep in mind the big Ski Sale Oct 21-25.
If you volunteer to work at the sale, you get first dibs at all the consignments. Here’s some additional information Ski Sale.
We usually make our first trip of the season to Moraine Lake Road in Lake Louise in early to mid-November. Through November the other trails at LL gradually get enough snow to groom and trackset: Great Divide, Tramline, Fairview. I just read in the Banff newspaper that they may have some new, shorter trails ready this winter. Moraine Lake road is a fabulous trail for all levels: the first 3K has a gentle and slight incline with terrific scenery. If you’re a novice skier, 3K out and 3K return is as much as you want to tackle on your first ski of the season. The remaining 6K involves a couple hundred metres of elevation. The trail is wide and very safe. You can read more here Skiing on Moraine Lake road.
It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that we could get snow closer to Calgary in November. I remember skiing at West Bragg and Ribbon Creek very early in the season(mid-November)in excellent conditions. The key is to be ready to go when the conditions are favourable. West Bragg and Ribbon Creek can deteriorate quickly with one chinook.
Myself, and other skiers, will be reporting on the conditions right here on this blog.
Meet-Up. Get your name on the list
Let me know if you’re interested in getting your name on my email list. I will keep you informed of upcoming trips and events – not just for ski club members, but everyone is welcome to receive these. Some of my ski trips will simply be for people who want to “Meet-Up” as an informal group. Great for mid-week skiers. Contact me at bobtruman@shaw.ca
Events to watch for – and get your name on the list
Goat Creek by bus – If you’ve skied the amazing Goat Creek trail, you’ll know how annoying it is to do the car shuttle. When it looks like good conditions prevail there, I’ll organize a bus trip from Calgary. We’ll be dropped off at the trailhead on the Smith-Dorrien hwy, and the bus will pick us up at the Banff end near the Banff Springs hotel and we’ll end the day with a dip in the world-famous Banff Hot Springs. It’ll cost about $30 for the bus. It’s an additional $7.50 for the Hot Springs. You’ve got to do this trip when this trail has been recently trackset because it can deteriorate fast, and keep in mind it’s for intermediate skiers. Get your name on my email list so I can notify you immediately when the conditions are right. It may be as little as three days notice.
Thanks to these skiers for their contributions to this blog last year:
Steve Riggs, Duane Kohut, Cindy H, Peter, Ray, Chip, Zenny Neumann, George Smith, Kirstie, Lindsay Bowman, Andrew, Adrienne, Bruce Johnson, Alf Skrastins, Gary, Richard, Helen, Rachelle, Jade, Ryan, Graeme, Whistler Limousine, Glenda & Gerry, Bill, Chris Williams, Kathleen, Diana Piggott, Rob MacLeod, Ken Hill, Rod, Brian, Clive Cordery, Scott Berry, Gail, Gordon Kirk, Ed Roebroek, Eric, Blair.
