Cnd. Rockies roll call

[Eldo]

Anyone going on Friday, Sat or Sun?

I am thinking Sunshine 'caz Louise is still only a couple of runs, plus the place will be teeming with rude Euro racers during the World Cup. (Worse than the height of touron season in March.)

Could be some fine rock dodging at SSV on blues and greens. Anyone?

[PlayHarder]

The Lake is calling for "flurries" throughout the week, but unless those flurries are pretty substantial I'll likely kill a day at SSV this weekend.
I hope this shapes like a mirror image of last year, instead of 5 or 6 boot-top to knee-deep in Nov and nothing for three months I'm pulling for a dry Nov meaning some good days in Dec and Jan. but I'm probably wrong

**Eldo, just saw your PM from last weekend(?), sorry I didn't see it in time.

[Eldo]

PH, I hope you're right about a slow start and then things picking up. Send me a PM or post here if you decide to go on Sat or Sun.

Any Banff people been to Sunshine recently? Wondering how much the recent snow has improved things from opening weekend. (Redskea, are you at the hill now?)

[mntlion]

PH, I hope you're right about a slow start and then things picking up. Send me a PM or post here if you decide to go on Sat or Sun.

Any Banff people been to Sunshine recently? Wondering how much the recent snow has improved things from opening weekend. (Redskea, are you at the hill now?)

Getting better. 15cm this week?
Went up Sun on hill and toured around twin cairns on Monday.
still more open then at the lake, but still rocks (it is the Rocky mountians afterall)

Limited runs off angle, but working on Divide / Teepee too.

sounds like touring around highwood is great, that upslope storm helped it a bunch, road closes on Dec 1?

[Oarhead]

Don't go to the lake. I was there this weekend and it was quite pitiful. According to the boot packers who are working backside, it is super dry, nothing worth talking about except ice and rocks.

[powslut]

you may or may not see me at sunshine this weekend. was up at Burstall Pass on Saturday- it was pretty good, albeit shallow. Hit Balu at Roger's Pass yesterday which was OK, but it was the first time I've ever seen grass poking through the snow at treeline. Had some good, but short, runs on the chutes to the lookers right of the pass. Bruins Pass looked really nice in the light, but unless you're going to ascend the basin from Balu Pass it would be some heavy going through alder hell in the trees.

[chump]

the shine's been really fun this week. thin, but you can do virgins or garbage both and take some airs. I've only blown one sidewall! We might be heading up Highwood thursday it you are into it slut.

[Mex]

I was at Sunshine Sunday. Definitely rocks around, no big surprise. The Shoulder was pretty good. But the entrance is rough on the gear and there are some big rocks near the bottom that aren't covered. A guy I was with blew his sidewall. Things are still pretty shallow.

[powslut]

the shine's been really fun this week. thin, but you can do virgins or garbage both and take some airs. I've only blown one sidewall! We might be heading up Highwood thursday it you are into it slut.

can't do thursday, but i would love to do friday or saturday.

[Eldo]

Thanks for the updates, everyone. It sounds like Highwood might be worth at least one day on the weekend. Otherwise I will probably be at Sunshine, doing the lifts and maybe a few tours.

Anyone know if the Fortress road has been gated at the bridge yet? (Or is still drivable with a 4x4 or chains?)

[Mex]

Good question! I haven't really hear what's going on with that road. Is there a chance it'll get plowed this season? What's the word?

[PlayHarder]

Sooo, anyone riding lifts on Sat? The wife booked for me dinner on Friday, so no getting out that day.
Touring gear won't be mounted up until next week and I'm going to snap if I don't get to ski something besides Wiwaxi again.
Eldo, DougW, any of you I haven't met - carpool from Petro-Can?

Mex, they were supposed to stop plowing a couple of weeks ago.

[sherpahigh]

Looks like I'll be up at Sunshine tomorrow. First day of the season, can't wait.

Any of you locals know of a good spot to get some intro touring gear? Is MEC the best bet? I'm a total BC JONG and I'm interested in getting out a bit. A buddy and myself are taking an avy course through the U ofC next month which is a good start. I'll probably end up renting some gear at the start, but I'd like to start looking around for some gear of my own.

[Johnny Gunn]

I'm dying to get out again and make some turns but I have to go to Lethbridge this weekend.

Pray For Snow

[L7]

Looks like I'll be up at Sunshine tomorrow. First day of the season, can't wait.

Any of you locals know of a good spot to get some intro touring gear? Is MEC the best bet? I'm a total BC JONG and I'm interested in getting out a bit. A buddy and myself are taking an avy course through the U ofC next month which is a good start. I'll probably end up renting some gear at the start, but I'd like to start looking around for some gear of my own.

MEC or the Hostel Shop. If you're going to UofC already their rec program has tons of gear that they must sell off at some point. Don't know if they do it in the spring or what. I'm not sure if all of the ski swaps are done but that would be another source. Not sure if you're looking for new or used.

[mntlion]

Any of you locals know of a good spot to get some intro touring gear? Is MEC the best bet? I'm a total BC JONG and I'm interested in getting out a bit. A buddy and myself are taking an avy course through the U ofC next month which is a good start. I'll probably end up renting some gear at the start, but I'd like to start looking around for some gear of my own.

For new, if you are in the mountain a bit I'd go mountain magic or monods. They are the same price or cheaper then MEC, have product in stock and know what they are talking about. Too many part time, new, people at MEC to see good results.

Used: Like L7 said U of C is a good bet, some newish place in kensinton area, switching gear in canmore, MEC web site, This site, mountain magic has a bit of used gear, Gear up in Cnamore might be selling some stuff. '



L7: you going to LL to see the race? SIN and doug will be around on Sun, I'm touring on sat at SSV on Sun.
are you sking next week at all? I have a big 3 pass.

[Mex]

If anyone wants to do some touring at some point let me know. I've only got two buddies that are into it so it's hard to get out sometimes. I'm keen to share rides to Sunshine too.

[sherpahigh]

Thanks for the tips on the gear. I'll probably start off with some used stuff if I can find some that's in decent shape.

And now for a total JONG question, how hard am I going to find the actual touring asspect of BC? My only experience on cross-country skis was probably 20 years ago when I was 8 or 9. Probably gonna kill me skinning up for the first time but I'm looking forward to it.

[sherpahigh]

If anyone wants to do some touring at some point let me know. I've only got two buddies that are into it so it's hard to get out sometimes. I'm keen to share rides to Sunshine too.

Hopefully I'll be looking to do some touring at some point. I'll see how the first few attempts go with some buddies before I line up any meets with people I haven't skied with before though. I'm sure I can keep up with the actual skiing, just wouldn't want to slow anyone down with the touring asspects of it all. Definitly interested in learning about it though.

[DougW]

If anyone wants to do some touring at some point let me know. I've only got two buddies that are into it so it's hard to get out sometimes. I'm keen to share rides to Sunshine too.

The answers are yes please , and yes again

Will be out to SSV this weekend. Got my rock skiis all tuned up so they actually have pretty sharp edges ( not for long) .

[Eldo]

... Got my rock skiis all tuned up so they actually have pretty sharp edges ( not for long) .

All my equipment becomes rock skis (or boards) eventually, so I might be trying out the new(used) B3s and Freerides. Divide and TeePee open tomorrow, and Goat's Eye might open on Sunday. But I'm sure it would be a major rockfest.

[Idris]

Heading up to SSV tomorow morning.....sherpahigh, I may have a spare AT rig available soon...

[PlayHarder]

DougW, sent pm about Sat.

I'm in the same boat as Sherpahigh, freerides will be mounted next week, RAC course in Dec and wanting to get out.
Anyone up for a beacon practice session some time?

[Redskea]

I'm (finally) driving north tomorrow with the elusive , expensive piece of paper I've been waiting for.

See you at SSV after monday.

I don't know what my days off will be yet but I'm always keen to go touring.

Skiied the Bro Models today at Kirkwood and they are FUN!

[Oarhead]

^^^^^^^^
hey hey welcome back (soon) to the land of good beer and people that aplogise even if they are in the right.

Congrats on that piece of paper, just don't use it for rolling.