“Going outside and being active should be encouraged.” – Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. “As long as they take proper precautions while around others, Albertans can go outside for some fresh air, even while self-isolating.”
If you go skiing, remember the social distancing protocol of staying 2 metres away from others. It’s easy to do in the great outdoors. I wish people at the grocery stores were as responsible as the skiers I’ve encountered lately.
The natural snow trails at Canmore Nordic Centre were groomed early this morning including Bow, Banff, and Meadowview. The man-made snow on Banff Loop was groomed as well as the competition trails and the biathlon trails.
The Bill Milne, Wedge Connector, and Evan-Thomas trails are being groomed this morning for the final time this season.
Kicking Horse Ski Club final update: “We’ve had a great snow season and we hope you have had lot’s of time to enjoy it! The parking lots & trail heads in Yoho are shutting down —as well as many others in all the mountain parks — and so will the Kicking Horse Ski Club. Thank you so much for your continued support and volunteer efforts. Special thanks to Joe Nexipi–the backbone of our wonderful x-c trails in Yoho.”
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“The goal is to reduce risk of transmitting COVID-19 rather than cut off all social contact, says U of A infectious disease expert who provides tips on what to do and what to avoid.” Social distancing: what it means and what you should do about it.
The purpose of this blog is to let skiers know about skiing conditions, and to be a purveyor of news affecting the cross country skiing community. I don’t make the news and I don’t groom the trails. The trail reports/Live grooming reports are available for everyone to see. People are going to go skiing regardless of anything posted on here, so let’s encourage everyone to be responsible. If you feel that grooming the trails and the Live Grooming Reports are irresponsible, take it up with the Alberta government.
I’m with you on this, Bob. Kudos to those who have posted their opposing views here without resorting to the near hysteria and shaming that I have seen on some social media. Jeremy’s post in Trip Reports is especially thoughtful.
Yesterday at WBC, we parked well away from others, saw about 10 skiers out on the trails, everyone was careful to keep their distance. Only stop coming and going was for fuel on the way home- self serve with gloves on, sanitized before and after, at a nearly deserted co-op gas station. Being pretty much retired now- we have the luxury of going out in off-peak times, and will not be using the popular trailheads during busier periods.
By contrast- we walked the dog for a hour and a half in Bowmont Park this morning, encountering at least 40 others, but here too, everyone was keeping to at least the prescribed distancing.
Since you are quoting Dr. Hinshaw, she also recommended against travel to the provincial parks, or travel at all. We may be safe from the virus on the trails, but if anything happens to someone, on the trail, or on the road, we are adding stress the health care system. I had a close call on the road just last week, merging off of Three Sisters Drive on a quiet day – really got me thinking.
This is a link to her message on Monday, March 23. Go to 8:40. Take care, everyone!
Carol, I totally agree with Dr Hinshaw. She “cautioned” against going where large crowds can form. There were no crowds yesterday in PLPP. I never saw another skier. Go at off-peak times as Steve suggested and stay away on the weekends. You can easily avoid crowds by using common sense. Staying at home, not getting any fresh air or exercise, will be harder on the health care system in the long run, as well as taking a toll on people’s mental health. I’m glad your close call didn’t result in an accident. Traffic accidents can happen anywhere.
Agreed fully Bob. Dr. Hinshaw exudes competence and I’m prepared to follow all her recommendations.
I was at CNC both Saturday and Sunday– conditions were superb and I saw zero social distancing violations even though the parking lots were about 80% full.
No need to even stop anywhere else in town. No need to touch anything. Riding in the car by yourself or with housemates is very close to full home isolation except you’re not going crazy.
Going to buy groceries must be many times more risky. Obviously getting food is essential but mental health/exercise is also very important to our recovery.
“Going outside and being active should be encouraged.” – Dr Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. “
Bob said:
. I wish people at the grocery stores were as responsible as the skiers I’ve encountered lately.
agree with the above, you can get coronavirus as easily at the grocery store or walking around your neighborhood, very unlike while skiing, last time I was in WBC, I don’t remember anyone being close to me, I was skiing, not hanging around with others