Today was probably the perfect day to ski. Snow is still cold, but the air temperature was pleasant, with sunny skies and no wind. The conditions on Bill Milne and Wedge Connector are as good as I’ve ever seen them. Evan-Thomas has been compromised by hikers but was still fun.
Wedge Connector
Cheryl and Tessa dropped me off at Wedge Pond where the snowplow was busy clearing the parking lot. The air temperature was -11°C. The snow was likely colder and I was getting great grip with VR30(-10/-30). My plan was to ski to Ribbon Creek parking lot.
Wedge Connector
Wedge Connector is such a pretty trail in the sunlight. There were scads of animal tracks everywhere today. I can see why Chuck is sighting a lynx every third time he skis with all the hare tracks I’m seeing.
This little bridge is where the Wedge Connector ends, and Evan-Thomas begins.
Wedge had about 3-4 cm of new snow since it was trackset, but the tracks were skied-in well(thanks Diana!), although still a bit on the soft side.
Arriving at the end of Wedge Connector at 2.8K, and crossing the bridge to the Evan-Thomas trail, I encountered a skier who was laying at the side of the trail in deep snow. She had tried to ski down the steep, narrow trail.
Sue and Tom are at the spot on the Evan-Thomas trail where the tracksetting ends and a narrow trail about 150 metres in length takes you down to the bridge.
As I mentioned in my post of Jan 11, it would be best to remove your skis and walk down this final section of trail. It is too narrow to machine-groom, but there is a well-packed snowshoe trail. I removed my skis to walk up to where the tracksetting starts on the Evan-Thomas. Ran into Sue and Tom and warned them about the mishap of the previous skier.
Hikers have chewed up the tracks on the Evan-Thomas trail
I don’t have high expectations of the Evan-Thomas trail because of the destruction caused by all the hikers. It was groomed and trackset two days ago, but true to form, the tracks had been chewed up. I still enjoyed the skiing, especially in the “downstream” direction where it loses about 60 metres of elevation.
Bill Milne trail with the Wedge in the distance
I’d like to know what these hikers are thinking. After the old tracks got chewed up, skiers began making a new track on the other side of the trail. You know what’s coming. They walked in the new tracks, too. On Saturday, I’m going to ski up and down this trail and take photos of all the hikers walking in the tracks and post their photos under the title “Evan-Thomas Walk of Shame.”
Bill Milne trail
At the Evan-Thomas parking lot, I crossed the road and accessed the Bill Milne trail where I had perfect tracks all the way to Ribbon Creek. The scenery along this trail is spectacular.
Terrace trail
I hadn’t called my ride to pick me up because I was enjoying the day so much and wanted to squeeze in a little more. I continued up Terrace trail on new tracksetting for a couple kilometres. Rather than continue on to the village, I was salivating at the thought of going back down Terrace to the Ribbon Creek parking lot on these wonderful conditions, which I did.
The Swix thermometer at Ribbon Creek indicated an air temperature of -9°C. I observed the first signs of the warm air moving in with a few wind gusts while I was on Terrace. I see there is more snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.
Feb 8 Nipika trail report: “The trails are in the best conditions we have ever had! This storm dropped over 40 cm on us and the trails are in immaculate conditions. Everything has been set for classic and skate skiing and fat bike trails have also been packed”
Check the Groomer’s Reports for the latest on West Bragg Creek, Lake Louise, and Yoho/Emerald Lake.
If you’re living in the southeast corner of Alberta(Medicine Hat and area), the Cypress Hills trails were groomed today.
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