10 cm in Canmore!

Tues Jan 10 @ 8:00 a.m:

I believe this is the biggest single snow event of the winter here. Many trails will be significantly improved and our options for skiing have increased immeasurably.

Up to now, Canmore, Banff, and Ribbon Creek were only receiving dribs and drabs, 1 or 2 cm here and there. We’ve yet to hear how much snow fell in specific locations but I’m optimistic.

Baker Creek to Castle Lookout has been trackset (file photo)

Trails which I’m looking forward to skiing are:

• Ribbon Creek and Skogan Pass.
• Natural snow trails at Canmore Nordic Centre
• Goat Creek and Spray River without rocks
• Healy Creek and Brewster Creek
• Baker Creek to Castle Lookout

Grooming occurred yesterday on Ribbon Creek and some Kananaskis Village trails. They had 7 cm by 4 pm, should be at least 10 cm by now. Last night in PLPP, “Lodgepole, Braille, Sinclair, and Spruce Rd were all trackset with conditions significantly improved with the new snow.” The Grooming Report shows that many trails in West Bragg were groomed/trackset yesterday.

We know from Barb’s report that Spray River west was trackset yesterday. Remains to be seen if Goat Creek was also done.

Temperatures are going to moderate for the weekend, too.

The trail from Baker Creek to Castle Lookout has finally been trackset. Baker Creek Mountain Resort has extended hours at the Cabin Cafe for anyone who would like to enjoy the aprés ski specials there between 3-5 pm. They are also open for dinner every night now, not just on weekends.

The Baker to Castle trail is part of the iconic Lake Louise to Banff Loppet which is coming up on Jan 22. If you’re staying in Lake Louise on the 21st, the Mountaineer Lodge is offering 20% off regular rates.

Here’s another video with a surprise ending from my ski trip on Sunday, as I was coming down the steep hills near the far end of Elk Pass: