Spring ski conditions in PLPP

 – Skiers with waxless skis were enjoying the conditions in PLPP –

Perhaps it was the first time ever that I’ve skied up the steep hills on Whiskey Jack and Lynx without so much as a herringbone. (I know, I’ve said the same thing for two consecutive days, but I continue to be amazed at the grip these skis give me). Today’s conditions were made for my zero skis. I was having a wonderful time, but was also feeling lots of empathy for the skiers on waxable skis because I’ve been there. I well remember those strenuous upper body workouts when you have no grip, and frustrating downhills with a thick layer of ice on the grip zone. The conditions where you will use zero skis(sometimes referred to as “hairys”) are limited, but they are incredibly wonderful when required. I bought my Fischer zero skis last fall at Lifesport, wanting to be prepared in anticipation of these exact circumstances.

Lynx trail still has excellent tracks but they were soft in places and a bit icy in others

At 12:30 pm, it was +3°C in PLPP at Boulton creek parking lot as I started up Whiskey Jack. The ski tracks were in transition from the morning’s icy phase to a bit softer.

There were skiers using sticky wax but it was a challenge, going between no grip and clumping.

Skier on Whiskey Jack

The run down Pocaterra was fast and fun on mostly hard tracks, but periodically there would be a soft spot in a sun-exposed area. Conditions were fantastic on last night’s new tracksetting which started at the Packers junction.

Pocaterra hut is open again.

There’s a snowfall warning out for the mountains, so we might be breaking trail in the morning. With a high of -6 tomorrow, we might be back to skiing on cold snow, let’s hope. I like my zero skis, but I still prefer the waxable ones any day.

It was -5°C in Canmore when I left this morning, -8 at the Stoney Nakoda Resort, so the inversion was in full effect today. Lower elevations = colder. Keith reports -7 this morning at Ribbon creek.

Stop for brunch at the Stoney Nakoda Resort on your way to the mountains. When you arrive at the ski trails, the tracks should be well skied in by the early birds.

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