With the excellent conditions this winter, the Bill Milne trail in Kananaskis has been discovered by many classic and skate skiers who may not have checked it out previously. It’s still in remarkably good condition with cold snow and good tracks.
The warmer weather has not caused any deterioration of the snow. I took Tessa there late this afternoon and we skied between Ribbon creek and the golf course. Air temperature was -2°C, and the snow was -5. It hasn’t been groomed for 11 days, but it’s holding up amazingly well.
It’s difficult to find anything on the internet about Bill Milne, but the plaque on the Bill Milne trail gives a few details.
Also this obituary which remarks, “He was an old-world gentleman,” Hutcheson said of Milne, whom he knew from other dealings. “He was interested in civic projects and social projects and making Calgary a beautuful place. He was a fantastic human.”
An interesting fact about Bil Milne he was also a passionate trail builder and designed the red roof Pavillions for the Trans Canada Trail trail heads. I remember reading somewhere he was also a very avid skier both downhill and cross country seems like a fitting name now for one the most scenic ski trails on the planet.