History in the making: First tracks on New Ribbon Creek

Click for larger image

–First tracks on New Ribbon Creek. Photo by TSJ(Tracksetter Jeff)-

What an incredible sight. Tracksetter Jeff sent the photo straight from the field. The trail report for Ribbon Creek/Kananaskis village: “Good snow around the Kananaskis Village area. Terrace,Terrace Link groomed and trackset. Kovach north of the Village groomed with a limited track. Upper Kovach groomed and trackset. There are still early season hazards but conditions are very good for this time of year.”

It’s 4:32 pm and I just came in from four hours of snow shovelling(and I’m still not done!). This photo from Jeff will motivate me to finish the job and go to Ribbon Creek tomorrow.

Susanne sent the following photo and report from West Bragg Creek:

West Bragg Creek, Photo by Susanne.

Susanne’s report: “Perfect conditions today on all the previously packed trails (Crystal and Sundog loops) with about 6 inches of light dry powder over a solid (not icy) base, tracks were skier set today.”

Many north end trails in PLPP were groomed including Pocaterra, Lynx, Amos, Woolley, Wheeler. Still no tracksetting.

Numerous trails were groomed and trackset at the Canmore Nordic Centre today including Banff trail, Bow trail, and Meadowview. Even trails like Grey Wolf and Cold Shoulder. That’s amazing for this early in the season. Check the CNC trail report for the complete list.

Bear tracks at Canmore Nordic Centre. Photo by Norbert Meier

The Bruin trail at Canmore Nordic Centre

Ken mentioned that bears were sighted at the nordic centre. I received an email from Norbert Meier with a photo:

“We were skiing on the Bow Trail at the Canmore Nordic Centre today (11:30am) and spotted these grizzly bear tracks. Location was near the start of the Bow Trail, just before the small hill that is the east end of the old “Elevator” section, less than 500m west of the night loop. The bear(s) had walked on the trail after the groomer had gone by and we probably only missed it by minutes. The bear(s) tried to go to the top of the Coal Chutes trail, but then doubled back and headed uphill.

We later saw John Jacques who told us he had seen 2 bears and had driven behind one on the Bruin Trail (fitting?) John thought there were actually two bears and that matched our observation of the number of individual tracks we had seen. Judging by the size of the paw print, I’d say the bears were mature but young adults.

In any event, we don’t often think bears are out at this time of year and don’t take bear spray to go skiing. I don’t think there is any cause for alarm nor should people hold back from going skiing on the terrific snow that we just got. Best just to keep one’s eyes and ears open and be prepared to stop and give the bear some space and time to move away.

By the way, the grooming was fantastic at the Nordic Centre today with the staff being out as the snow tapered off early this morning. They did a great job with the deep snow.”