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2024-04-06 at 20:02 - comment by ErinP
My season was a bit of a mixed bag. I had some of the most epic skis (a great Goat Creek day with JeffG and Kim; a freshly groomed climb up Lookout; a few great Pipestone days; many times back and forth across Tyrwhitt; checking out Emerald Lake and Kicking Horse trails with my hubby for the first time) but because I was working closer to full time this winter after having started a private practice, I had significantly less time for skiing than I would have liked. When combined with the roller coaster ski conditions, it was a strange season…I only made it out to WBC once this whole year! I’m looking forward to hopefully one last chance to enjoy the trails, as well as whatever next year has in store. It was great connecting with many of you this season and being part of this great community!
2024-04-06 at 17:57 - comment by FrankL
This season was better than I anticipated given the El Nino situation. With such inconsistent conditions this year, it was more important than ever for me to be able to follow the grooming. Nordic Pulse was very valuable in deciding where I was going to ski that day. So many people have to invest several hours of driving and associated costs that it becomes more important for Parks Canada to implenent Nordic Pulse. One of Parks Canada's bywords is "enhancing visitor experience". Hopefully they are listening. So, until then, I depend on skierroger.ca and the eager reporters. One last thing, after today's experience at PLPP, Santa will definitely bring me a pair of skin skis next year!
2024-04-06 at 09:20 - comment by SkierRoger
Thanks for that very kind reply, Jeff.
I know you sent in a number of reports this season and pointed out some great conditions. Some of my personal favourites of yours were at Goat Creek.
It’s so nice to hear stories of folks introducing their grandchildren to the sport, as you have with young Finnie. Rumour has it that we won’t be around forever, so we should look towards passing the baton!
2024-04-06 at 07:59 - comment by JeffG
Thank you Skier Roger for everything you do, including starting this interesting thread. I have had a fantastic ski season so far, despite not getting to many of the usual spots because of conditions. I skied Cascade more than ever, and I just can’t get enough of that place! There is something about climbing that big hill and reaching the mellow plateau which always has excellent conditions that soothes my soul. I can’t understand why that place held it together so well in a year where all the other spots had such ups and downs. The highlight for me was a week of skiing in early March with our friends from Gatineau, sampling all the great spots in the best conditions of the year. In addition, I had several great skis with my lifelong ski partner Sam, but not nearly enough skis with my daughter ErinP and Claire and none with Helen. And finally, having our grandson Finnie (Erin’s) make it up to the meadow at PLPP for the first time was pure joy. He rocked that day, perfecting his downhill tuck on the return to the stadium! But up at the top, he took ownership of the warming hut and I had trouble getting him out of there! As Chuck suggested, everyone out on the trails is happy and friendly - what a community.
2024-04-05 at 19:22 - comment by aqua toque
As you well know the badgers were as bad (or worse) than ever!
Oh wait, it's a REAL ski report you say? OK, better not mention the badgers.
Here's some interesting data from the Little Elbow Summit snow pillow (closest one to WBC) showing that this March we have surpassed last season. Looks like last April was pretty darn good but I can't remember back that far. Shocking how fast the meltdown was in spring though compared to normal.
https://rivers.alberta.ca/
2024-04-05 at 19:07 - comment by SkierRoger
Absolutely, Chuck
Couldn’t agree more!
2024-04-05 at 18:12 - comment by Chuck
My general reflection is that cross country skiers are wonderful people. Every day that I go out I meet such wonderfully positive people enjoying themselves, no matter what the weather or their skills.
Photo is from today... maybe it is the mountain scenery that is so uplifting!
Thanks everyone for motivating me to get out.
2024-04-05 at 16:43 - comment by Diana Piggott
Debbie downer here.....
Not a great season for me, due to a combination of lack of snow, weather, and being either too busy or sick on many of the good snow days. Bah. Hoping to make better use of my new skis next season.
A couple of highlights were skiing twice in one season the north side of Sandy McNabb, and having great conditions both times!!
2024-04-05 at 16:06 - comment by Vittorio
Had some very good early season skiing, before Christmas, at LL and Cascade. Then it did slow due to low snow coverage, but had sporadic good days at WBC. A few good outings at PLPP too. All and all I would rate the season as good, perhaps have one more trip to PLPP this weekend.
A fine day at WBC
2024-04-05 at 11:06 - comment by SkierRoger
Ya, the early part of our season was less than stellar. But these late few snow blasts are trying to make up for it.
Seems we had less snow than usual this year. But some areas did quite well. Lake Louise was good I’d say and the Cascade Valley had a great season.
Still, some areas disappointed: Ribbon Creek comes to mind.
2024-04-05 at 09:09 - comment by MaSid
Things really shaped up in March with a few key dumps in Kananaskis, pretty much redeeming the season, and we had a good high pressure ridge for a while providing very scenic touring. All memories of the earlier season have been replaced by this. The only real down side to my season was not getting into the elk pass meadows consistently enough, or early, so no Snowfa’s this season as well as less days than normal.
2024-04-05 at 09:02 - comment by Little Bs
We're having an awesome winter of touring beyond the groomed trails. With the recent snowfall, things are looking bright pink for the remaining 6 weeks of the season! Check out our latest trip report, to be posted in a few hours.
A few weeks ago at Shadow Lake with our good friend, Cecilie Skog
Paul Karchut - Real Ski Report & other thoughts
Report Submitted by SkierRoger
(trip) Date: Friday Apr 05, 2024
Submitted: Friday Apr 05, 2024 at 08:05
Discussion:
As you may know, I submit the odd blurb into Paul Karchut’s ski report on CBC radio. Paul is going to hang it up for another season but asks for any thoughts on how well positioned we are to finish the season strong and general reflections on what has been a wild ride for mountain weather through the winter.
How was your ski season?
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