Frigid weather round-up

Will anyone be skiing on Elk pass today?(file photo)

We’ve got brand new tracksetting on a number of trails. Does anyone else find it frustrating that it’s too cold to ski? Environment Canada showed a temperature of -35°C at 9 a.m. in Canmore with a wind chill of -40. It’s supposed to warm up to -21 today and -17 tomorrow.

The Weather Network is forecasting -16 today for Kananaskis. I hope they’re accurate for the sake of anyone who ventures out. The PLPP webcam shows a temp this morning of -15, but it’s a well-known fact that it is usually off by at least 5°. If anyone goes there, I hope you’ll send us a trip report later today.

More tracksetting in Banff

I was surprised to read on the Banff trail report that Goat creek is trackset from the east end(above Canmore) for 7K to the Goat creek bridge. That’s wonderful news. The Banff tracksetter also did Sundance, Healy creek, and for the first time this winter, Brewster creek. The bridge on the Spray river loop is scheduled to be in by Christmas.

Reminders: 

Send in a photo or leave a comment for the Emerald Lake Lodge contest.

“Like” Lifesport on Facebook by Monday and you’ll be entered to win a Fischer ski bag.

The Para-Nordic World Cup starts on Monday in Canmore in conjunction with much nicer weather.

A skier crosses the finish line in the Lake Louise to Banff loppet in 2013

Lake Louise “towards” Banff Loppet update

This would be a good time to remind all participants in the LL to Banff Loppet that registration opens on Sunday, Dec 15 at 8 a.m. The loppet has been reduced to 50K this year from its usual 71K because of the bridge being out at Healy creek.

The loppet goes on Sunday Jan 19 and we won’t be starting in the dark this year. With the shortened distance, the start time is 9 a.m. Maximum 4 skiers on a relay team, but with the shortened distance, I expect to see a lot of solo racers.

You can read more details of the changes at http://loppet.wikidot.com/. 

I have some good news for all loppeteers who are staying in Lake Louise on the night before the loppet. The Mountaineer Lodge is offering a special rate to SkiHere readers  for Sat Jan 18 at 20% off their usual prices. A standard room will be $116.00 which includes breakfast. With the loppet start time being 9 a.m, I’m assuming the pre-race meeting will be at 8 a.m, therefore we might actually have a chance to eat. When you book, mention that you saw it on SkiHere to get the discount.