Update Sat Dec 24 @7:45 a.m: I received 2 cm overnight in Canmore(and another 2 cm is predicted for today). I expect the Ribbon Creek – Skogan Pass trails would have also received at least that much, so I’m wondering if Lower Skogan would now be skiable?
I hope someone checks it out today. Temperature here is -10°C and light snow is falling. New tracksetting occurred yesterday/last night on Elk Pass and Blueberry Hill. Check the Live Grooming Reports for more details.
Alf Skrastins sent this photo on Saturday morning. “About 14cm of new snow at WBC and still snowing. The volunteer groomers are out packing and tracksetting. Here’s a photo from Hostel Loop, taken by WBC tracksetter Jeff.”
For the latest on West Bragg Creek, check the Trip Reports from Alf and George. As of late yesterday, the GBCTA reports 12 cm! “Some long overdue snow has arrived and is still falling as this is written. (Dec 23 pm) Conditions have markedly improved and grooming will be continuing for the next 48 hrs.” See photo at right which was sent by Alf Skrastins this morning.
I checked the Spray River West trailhead at Banff yesterday. It still needed at least 3 cm to make it skiable, I don’t know if they got any of this recent snow. As far as I know, Goat Creek still needs more snow to be skiable.
Regarding Jeff’s update above, the Marmot gate is just below the old Marmot-Skogan junction, or at the top of the Skogan Screamer if you’re familiar with that section. Look at the Live Grooming Report for more info. It shows the Screamer being groomed, but I’m guessing it would have a lot of exposed hazards. The Screamer is a 900-metre section above Ruthie’s. It’s “screaming” fun when it has good snow, but with poor snow cover you would be screaming in terror.
The Nakiska ski report indicates the ski hill got 14cm of new snow. I don’t know where they measure it, but at least it’s a good sign.