I wasn’t there sadly but ER7 opened today. Heard ER3 is getting close too.
Printable View
I wasn’t there sadly but ER7 opened today. Heard ER3 is getting close too.
ER7 I can see. Last week's snow made a big difference on how filled in it looked. But ER 3 still looked really grime even after the snow. Especially lower down. Not sure I will guinea pig that one! Then again, I was quite surprised by WH 2, so who knows.???
I wasn’t there, but 3 opened yesterday apparently. Was described to me as a “pucker fest” and “totally afraid to ski it the way you wanted to”.Quote:
Originally Posted by TOLOCOMan
About how you would describe today. Because against substantially better judgment, they dropped the ptarm chute ropes some time today, without notice. Including the upper entrances.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spooky
Each turn was 50/50 you got deeper than knee pow, or about 4 inches and a boulder.
Dandurand?Quote:
Originally Posted by Spooky
I came off Lipalian which is just straight shale and rock, thinking they would be any different. Haven't looked at bases but it didn't feel good.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeMagnet
yupQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuntmonkey
The one and only.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuntmonkey
Fun in the West bowl today. Had to stay light on your feet but a real beautiful day up there. Attachment 509455
with WB, ER7, and some of WH2 open and SSV opening the dive, things are shaping up for the higher end terrain.
I will say they are doing exceptional for the middling snowfall totals. The barely-below temps must have set up a very solid base that didn't bomb off.
bumpQuote:
Originally Posted by DougW
and WH2 is open as well. (spooky got in first cuz he is #sopro)
Skier died in Fernie under the Polar Peak chair:
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/man-dies-...sort-1.7171565
Vibes to that guy.
Anyone able to point me in the right direction to go to Kicking Horse or Fernie this week? I have Epic and both are free I will be driving from Calgary.
Both look fully open but not a ton of recent snow however Fernie shows twice as much total snowfall YTD on their website.
Are either like Nelson where you really need a free heel set up to skin or are they bootpack mountains if you want to hike a bit looks like both of them have runs on the trail map you need to go uphill to get to? Nelson and Red are the only powder highway resorts I've been to.
Was planning to bring a 99 underfoot fixed set up but I can bring wider skis and skins. Thanks!
Kickinghorse is better in low tide than Fernie is, IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by FigureELEVEN11
Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk
Thank you! Was leaning towards lapping that gondola and the super long runs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shorty_J
Is the hike to terrain more boot packs or skin tracks?
Within KH boundaries, it’s bootpacks. T[emoji637], T[emoji638], Ozone are all accessible with a short hike. No idea what’s open or what coverage is, just info from past visits.Quote:
Originally Posted by FigureELEVEN[emoji637
Sent from my iPhone using [emoji638]][emoji640][emoji640]][emoji640][emoji638][emoji638][emoji638]]TGR Forums
I skied Fernie today, the coverage is excellent. Offpiste is softish, some slopes/aspects that had a bit of windsift that skied really well. There isn’t a lot of hikeable terrain inbounds, what is there is can easily be done via boot pack.Quote:
Originally Posted by FigureELEVEN11
Headed to Banff in Mid-March to rip around with the fam. Looking to ski 2 days at SV. What's my cheapest option for tickets? SkiBig3 doesn't really seem like a deal if we are just at SV. SV multi-day mobile tickets seem to be the way to go but my question is, do their prices fluctuate? They seem high now. Will they be cheaper mid-week in March at the dates get closer?
Thanks in advance.
For just 2 days and both at the same place, Costco is probably the cheapest option.Quote:
Originally Posted by 0oMtnRidero0
Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk
Boot pack.Quote:
Originally Posted by FigureELEVEN11
Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk
We are coming from Montana, so passing through Invermere and not Calgary. Sadly, doesn't seem like costco is an option.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shorty_J
I doubt they’ll get cheaper - prices do fluctuate but March is a busy month for us, so if they fluctuate either way, my guess would be higher. That really is just a guess though.Quote:
Originally Posted by 0oMtnRidero0
skibig3 is about 25% off? Also priced in CND peso, and free bus to the hill.Quote:
Originally Posted by 0oMtnRidero0
I’m going to drive from Frank to KH this March with my brother, staying for a week in Golden but trying to fill in the map a bit of the area i haven’t seen.
Anything interesting to do in what looks like one of the most beautiful places in the world over there?
some options i’ve looked at:
Nipika touted as the best xc in the world by a nordork friend.
Hot springs look pretty nice (especially for a commercial op).
a little tour might be in order depending on conditions obvs…
It’s one night, any motel suggestions, towns, spots to break up the drive or points of interest are appreciated. i’m really looking forward to this trip and i don’t want to screw up the small window of opportunity.
thanks, mags.
If there is a clear day and you’re down for more driving, the ninety three North aka Icefields Parkway is worth a drive. If you have the budget there are some day skiing heli ops around (CMH Purcell and RK in Invermere) or scenic flights with Whitetooth Heli. Many good ski guides around if you want to do some guided skiing off KH or Roger’s Pass / Yoho / Banff. Hopefully we start getting more consistent snow and the ski hill is much better in March.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker
also "whiteway" on columbia lake. Longest ice skating area in the world? not sure, but its nice for XC and skate.Quote:
Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker
radium is commercial, Lucier is not. (15km drive up easy logging road)Quote:
Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker
Quote:
Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker
Umm, sorry to say, but no. The trails are perfectly fine, but there are tons of places better.Quote:
Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker
I see you will be at KH. I would actually rate Dawn Nordic right at the ski hill as better than Nipika.
Ok, good to know, thanks for all of the tips everyone. Just looking forward to seeing this corridor between Fernie and Golden really.
Thank you for posting I chose Fernie and its amazing. Very steep and excellent chalky snow don't think I hit anything all day great coverage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Evil
Still haven't seen the peak want to come back when its sunny you can see up high and the Polar Express spins worse than after a dump.
Glad to hear you had a good time. If you get a chance to come back on a weekend, send me a PM and I'll be happy to show you some of my favorite lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by FigureELEVEN11
Ok shameless plug here. Never skied in Alberta ever. My legs are… ok. Staying 10min from lake Louise, here for foot & ankle conference. Looking for moderate getting after it but wife in tow, she’s “afraid of icy slopes”.
Trying to decide how to allocate skiing 2 of next 3 days, whether (and what “protocol”) to do two days at LL vs. one at each LL and SSV. Most likely tomorrow would be the SSV day but maybe Friday. I understand it’s a bit low-tide and pretty firm past few days…
I’d love to do basically recon for daydreaming about the future at both places and have some FOMO about skipping SSV but not sure if it’s worth the time/effort etc.
My other real question is: if you had a handful of runs/lift rides you could ride at each location (spending rest of day on groomers w wife), what/where would you advise in current weather/visibility/snow conditions?
Not looking for disclosing very favorite private stashes, just a “ if I had limited time, this is where I would tell my friends to go ski” at each.
Thx in advance!
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
I hear sunshine is less icy that Lake Louise currently. More options there for green blue runs. With good vis it is an incredible place. Louise is skiing better in the Alpine. Have fun either way.
SSV- off piste skied great yesterday. On piste is icy shit. Ski out is a gravel road
Lake Louise has lots of snow making, so go there on day 1 and if it is decent, then stay there. Disclaimer: Banff resorts are in the Rockies and they call them the Rockies for a reason.
Looks to be windy as F the next two days. I'd suggest checking the weather and avoiding SSV if its blowing hard as its no fun in low vis. On the other hand they might get more fresh overnight than LL and the winds could moderate as the arctic air moves in and it could clear up. Backside of Louise has more chalky packed pow then SSV. Start poking around off boomerang. Basically not prime conditions at either place and a good day means searching out the better snow and just enjoying a fine day.
check the web cams for temps vs elevation tomorrow as the temps go down
Skied SSV today. What a delight to see some fresh! Just enough snow to cover up all the rocks…skied ok- but hit rocks constantly now that u can’t see them…
Skied LL yesterday following that little bit of fresh. The winds had done a number and it was super variable all over the hill, and often turn to turn. Some areas were completely scraped, lots of pockets of fairly stiff and grabby windslab, and a few pockets of good, soft pow turns. Made for some challenging but fun skiing in the fairly flat light.
A couple shots from some consistently soft turns we found last week:
PC Daniel Thomson:
Attachment 510426
PC Chris Foote:
Attachment 510427
Attachment 510428