Category Archives: Mountain Tours

Ribbon Creek Ski Trip and Fondue Feast

Fondue Tour on the top of Blueberry hill. One of the rare times that it is very clear and no wind

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.

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Santa Updates Naughty Or Nice List On Elk Lakes Tour

A few photos from the annual Christmas tour to Elk Lakes Cabin.

Wilcox Pass & Glacier Lake Tour

Glacier Lake

Dave watches as Debby crosses some open water on the Howse River on the trail towards Glacier Lake

By: Jane

Departing Ramparts Hostel the temperature was -23 at 8:30 am.  30 mins later as we began are climb up to Wilcox Pass the temperature had risen to -8.  It remained a cloudless sky for the full day with temperatures reaching around +5.  The snow through the trees was good, but once out of the trees there was little snow and lots of bare areas for a while.  We lunched opposite a gently slope which became a ‘play area’ for a few people, the others choosing to languish in the sun.  We skied to the far end of the pass and contemplated skiing down Tangle Creek.  (Its definately not only women who have difficulty making decisions,it seemed the pros and cons were tossed around for ages by the gentlemen in the group!)  We returned the same way and floundered down the trail for a while before finding the good snow in the trees.

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Long Sunny Days In Assiniboine

Mt. Assiniboine

By: Jane

We all gathered at Donna and Ron’s place in Canmore to make the final plans for our trip.  The group skiing in, Jane, Steve, Donna, Ron and Margo were on their skis by 8:30.  The weather was overcast with no wind and gently falling snow.  It made for excellent skiing conditions.  Fortunately the group were able to follow tracks so trail-breaking was very moderate for the majority of the route.  However, the group helicoptering (Jeff, Debbie, Ivan, Steve Bennett and George) experienced a 3.5 hour delay in departure. There was a window in the weather that lasted about an hour, just enough time for the passengers and gear to get into Assiniboine safely.  The group skiing in were able to contact the Helicopter outfit and were aware of the delays.  A group decision was made to continue onward and snuggle together in the huts to keep warm, if necessary, knowing that their gear may not be waiting for them. (Margo was missing her man at that point!).  The skiing group arrived around 6:15 pm with a warm welcome from the others and good food prepared.

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