This week has been a fun mix of work and play in Canmore. I forgot to mention in my last post that I am now working at the Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore. I am basically a glorified janitor/secretary, keeping the gym and building clean and working the front desk. It is a fun job, and easy on the body so I will be able to work right through the spring and training season! That also means that I will not be tree planting this spring. I will miss my yearly pilgrimage into the bush, but staying in Canmore means I wont miss a month and a half of training!
This week Butler, Amanda and I skied up the Red Earth Creek trail to Shadow Lake Lodge (a ski in/ski out back country lodge). Its about a 15km ski up to the Lake/Lodge and you can go further if you want. We arrived just in time for afternoon tea at the lodge, which consisted of gourmet cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, cookies, cake, and of course coffee and tea (for $15). So of course we stopped at the lodge and ate to our hearts content before continuing on to explore the lake.
Butler and Amanda
Amanda and I on the ski in
There was quite a bit of snow up at the lodge
The guest cabins up at the Lodge
Shadow Lake
It was a great little day trip. Spring in the Canadian Rockies is amazing! The next adventure was a solo trip to Mt. Norquay for an afternoon of downhill skiing. I haven’t been able to get out on the downhill skies as much as I would have liked this year, but this afternoon at Norqauy sure made up for it. Norquay is known as the baby mountain of the Rockies. It is smaller than Sunshine or Lake Louise, but for a southern Ontario boy, it is still quite the mountain. With the majority of their runs being steep, fall line groomers, it is a grown up version of southern Ontario hills (with a view that is in a completely different league!).
Bluebird day, soft snow, no body in sight!!
The view from the top. Looking down on the Banff town site, the Bow Valley (left) and Mt. Rundle
A day like that can’t help but bring a smile to your face!
I even had a chance to take the old board out for a few turns!
The next adventure on tap was another day trip, this time into Boom Lake with Emma. Boom Lake is located past Banff, on HWY 93 south just past Storm Mtn Lodge. Our original plan was to head up into Kananaskis and ski into Chester Lake, but Spray Lakes road up to the gap was closed for avalanche removal. So we were turned around, and looking for a new spot.
Boom Lake didn’t disappoint! It is an easy 5km ski up to the lake, and once you get there you can continue exploring. It seems like a great alpine touring spot with quick access to back country powder. I really need to get some touring skis…
Just a little bit of snow out here still… you ski on top of that bridge, and try not to get too close to the edge.
Boom Lake
We stopped for lunch when we got up to the lake. Those are Emma’s poles stuck straight into the ground. Lots-o-snow.
Skiing across the lake.
This weekend could be an interesting one! There is a snowfall warning in effect for Canmore, with a potential 20cm today and more tomorrow. Hopefully Emma and I can get out on the downhill skies tomorrow. I have to work away the afternoon today, so no adventure in the fresh snow.
Today is also the last race of the season for many in North America! The Academy has been down in Sun Valley, Idaho for the USSA Spring Series races. Today is the final stage of the mini tour with a 6km hill climb! Results from the week can be found
HERE. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!!
-Pate
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