In mid March, 12 Parkland members set off for Canmore to begin a beautiful week of skiing at Talus Lodge. We gathered from Red Deer, Lacombe, Edmonton and Rimbey – some old friends, some new – all happily ensconced on a Thursday night in the ACC Bell Cabin high on the hill above Canmore. The night was spent in prep for some, relaxing for others – all of us beginning the process of gelling as a group.
By Jock M
The Fondue Foray (fondue held at the Ribbon Creek Hostel) and Ski Trip (in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park) was held on the weekend of January 17 and 18, 2014.
In attendance: Nancy B, Celia H, Janet M, Jock M, Amanda M, Karen M, Phil M, Trudy M, Dianne R, Janet R, Marilyn S, Lorna T, Richard T, Frank W, Todd W, and Ron D
Our leaders: Marilyn S & Richard T
We were warmly welcomed by hostel host, Anita and her cat.
Friday night supper for many of the gang was fine dining at the Kananaskis Resort
Friday night was spent getting settled in the dorm, then relaxing by the fire. 

It was with some trepidation that I prepared for my first backcountry overnighter with the club. Not only would I have to be capable of skiing with a forty pound pack, the weather forecast was for cold and colder. Trip leader Steve B. assured me that if I could ski the hills at River Bend with a heavy pack, I could do it. As a refresher, I also availed myself of an Intro to Mountain Touring course, led by Jane and Steve D. (the other Steve) and picked up several tips. Steve B. sent out an equipment list which would prove useful (especially the down jacket). Continue reading
If you are looking for some early season skiing you might want to make plans to head to the Canmore Nordic Centre and check our Frozen Thunder.
From the Nordic Centre:
“Now that there is snow on the mountains, we are definitely all thinking about skiing! Our season passes go on sale tomorrow, with an early bird discount of 10% if purchased before October 30th. The prices remain the same as last year.
We are running Frozen Thunder this year, with the opening date being the 19th of October. It will be open for public use after 12pm daily and is not included in the season pass. We are actually selling a Frozen Thunder pass this year for $75 per adult for the month, or you may just purchase regular priced day tickets.
Our opening day for the regular season is November 15th. At this time, we cannot predict how much snow we will have, and therefore what trails will be open by this date, but Frozen Thunder will definitely be open as a regular trail. If the temperatures are favorable for snowmaking, we will have additional trails as well.”
For more information check out the Canmore Nordic Centre website.
Fondue Tour on the top of Blueberry hill. One of the rare times that it is very clear and no wind
By Dion
We set out for beautiful Kanannaskis Country on Friday. This is the first ski trip with the Parkland Ski Club that I have ever participated in. I had heard a lot of good things about the trip before I signed up. I actually heard more about the food than about the skiing itself! The last of us arrived at around 8pm on Friday night at the Ribbon Creek Hostel. It was a cold night, about -26 Celsius, and very dark. We had a trip meeting that night and decided that we would start off the ski as group and then separate into two groups. Marilyn was the leader for one group and Jane lead the other group.