I arrived at the nordic centre just as the sun was setting. There are lots of trails lit for night skiing, and more to come. On the most popular trail, the Banff loop, only the lower section was trackset. The upper portion has numerous mounds of snow waiting to be groomed.
Skiing into a beautiful sunset on Meadowview
Conditions on the man-made snow are excellent. Conditions on the natural snow on Meadowview were good. The warmer weather has had no effect on the snow. I used VR50 with excellent results.
I originally was going to check out the natural snow on Banff trail, but with the spectacular sunset happening, I wanted to be in the open where I could enjoy it, so from the Mine Meadow I skied on Meadowview towards the daylodge.
Juvenile ski racer Beth Fowler was getting in some practice under the lights
At the end of the Banff loop there’s a 300-metre section of trail which takes you out to the natural snow trails(between jct 7 – 9 on this map). It’s barely navigable right now because it’s covered with mounds of new snow. I was able to get through it on the way out, having to remove my skis for a short stretch of trail. On the way back, from Meadowview I took Freddies Flip and Coyote. Coyote spits you out exactly at the end of the Banff loop.
This is the official traihead of the CNC, and it will be the best place for recreational skiers to start skiing this busy weekend. It’s at the northwest end of the daylodge.
There was a film crew on the trails doing a shoot to promote the Para-Nordic World Cup races which will be held at the nordic centre Dec 9 – 17.
Busy weekend at CNC
Two major events are occurring this weekend at the CNC. At all times, there will be access to the recreational trails but the place will be busy and congested. You can read more about which trails are closed on the Canmore Nordic Centre page.
******
We have a winner!
Congratulations to Laurie Morrison(Laurie M), winner of the Fischer skis contest.
Thank you for all the wonderful entries. As Grace declared in her entry/comment, “Winter would be unbearable without my skis!”
We have more contests on the way.
