Much colder temperatures were evident today, and are in store for Lake Louise. The forecast predicts a low of -16°C on Tuesday night.
Moraine Lake road
Today, as Helen has already pointed out, the snow was cold. At the end of Moraine Lake road it was -8°C. The air temperature when I finished skiing around 4:45 pm was -6. Easy waxing with VR40(-4/-12).
Moraine Lake road
I was pleasantly surprised at how well the tracks are holding up after a busy weekend of skiing. There’s been a bit of new snow, but you couldn’t ask for better conditions. The return trip was fast and fun. Of course, on the fastest part of the downhill, it’s suicide to try stay in the tracks as they are always mangled on the fastest corners. The skating lane is the safest place to be.
There were only three spots available in the parking lot when I arrived at 2:30 pm. I noticed the Great Divide Parking lot was also very crowded when driving by.
I hope that this weather system that is predicted for late Saturday into Sunday and Monday will open up more trails! Mountain-forecast.com predicts 15cm for Mt. Indefatigable at 2000m on Saturday night.
Better yet, the Snow Forecast for PLPP at 1800 meters is predicting 49 cm between now and Monday, with 40 cm coming on Saturday and Sunday. If we could even get one-third of that at Elk Pass trailhead, grooming would start. http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Fortress-Mountain/6day/bot
To avoid the parking problems at MLR trail head, skiers should try the Chateau upper parking lot and ski Upper Tramline to Moraine Lake road. We found Upper Tramline groomed and in good condition below the Great Divide trail off-ramp. We had a super day of sunshine on MLR. Skating lane and classic tracks were hard and fast.
We skied Morraine lake Road on Saturday and the tracks were very good for classic skiing – the temperature held steady at -3. Sunday we skated 1- A and the track was reasonably packed and smooth. Everyone should note that, although it was Sunday, the grooming staff was out on the trails making passes on 1 – A and taking the time to stop on the Great Divide hill, for example, cutting twigs that were in the classic tracks. Awesome job and commitment to making the trails as good as they can be!! Thanks!!!