Don’t ski here

After nine years of coming up with titles for blog updates, I was surprised that I’ve never used this one.

At first glance, Healy Creek looked promising

At first glance, Healy Creek looked promising

Healy Creek and Brewster Creek are in bad shape. If you’re determined to ski these trails, use wide metal-edged waxless skis and be prepared for a rock-fest, but I think it would be best to leave them to the fat bikers and snowshoers.

300 metres in, rocks and tree debris were prevalent

300 metres in, rocks and tree debris were prevalent

I hadn’t been to Healy/Brewster yet this winter, and I didn’t feel like driving very far, so I thought I’d give it a try. It turned out to be very trying. I usually take around 100 – 150 photos every time I ski. Today I took 22.

I used my metal-edged skis in anticipation of the sometimes-challenging descent on Brewster Creek.

This 100-metre section of Healy Creek was the best skiing of the day

This 100-metre section of Healy Creek was the best skiing of the day

It was -8°C at the Healy Creek trailhead at 1:30 pm. You have to walk about 150 metres before you can put your skis on. The tracks are surprisingly well-defined, they’re not icy, but they are covered with tree debris. At 1.2K I had to stop(actually, I couldn’t move forward any more) and remove debris from my wax.

Rocks and ruts as I started up Brewster Creek

Rocks and ruts as I started up Brewster Creek

I contemplated turning around and going somewhere else, but it was already late in the day, so I soldiered on, thinking that it would get better at higher elevation on Brewster Creek.

Rocks and tree debris on Brewster Creek

Rocks and tree debris on Brewster Creek

At 2.6K I arrived at the junction with Brewster Creek. It is not trackset, just snowmobile packed. The first 1.5K had 35 exposed rocks. That doesn’t count the loose ones which I was able to throw off the trail.

The snowmobiles have created ridges and ruts, especially on the turns where the snow is very uneven.

If thr rocks, ruts, and debris weren't enough, how about a tree root sticking up in the middle of the trail

If the rocks, ruts, and debris weren’t enough, how about a tree root sticking up in the middle of the trail?

After gaining considerable elevation to 1.5K, I finally gave up the ghost when, on a steep switchback, I encountered loose rocks and dirt over the entire width of the trail, obviously created by the snowmobiles as they spun, trying to get up the slope.

A big bruiser in the middle of the trail on Brewster Creek

A big bruiser in the middle of the trail on Brewster Creek, and lots of smaller ones.

I remember how I enjoyed descending this trail last winter on my metal-edged skis when there was good snow cover. Today it was simply trying to dodge rocks and make the turns without crashing.

On the bright side, there is a 100-metre stretch of trail beside the creek where conditions were great!

I also expect conditions would get better eventually as you gain elevation, but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to try descending the lower portion on regular track skis. It could be dangerous.

If I was in charge of grooming Brewster Creek, I’d spend a day with a pick and shovel on the lower portion of the trail, removing rocks and filling in the low spots and ruts.

3 Comments:

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  1. Any update on the trail conditions from Healy Creek to Sundance Lodge? Am heading to Sundance this weekend so am hopeful our current snowfall has help improve conditons.

    • Now that Sundance Lodge is open for the winter, they are responsible for grooming the Brewster Creek trail. I’ve tried to get them to notify us when grooming occurs but have had no luck. Perhaps you could contact them, saying you’re a paying guest, and ask what their plans are for grooming. There should be plenty of snow and conditions should be good.

  2. Sounds like hell .But if you ski Sandy Mcnabb Looks pretty dam good to me

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