A complete list of our proposed tour schedule for the year can be found in detail below.
Please call the Contact for more information or to to sign up for a specific tour.
Parkland Cross Country Ski Club takes safety in the back country seriously has a policy that all tourers on back country trips with AST1 required carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe and have a minimum of Avalanche Safety Level 1 (AST1) training. If you need avalanche safety equipment, we have some for rent at the following rates:
Transceivers $10/weekend $5/extra day
Probes $2/weekend $1/extra day
Hoe Shovels no charge – we encourage all tourers to use hoe shovels!
Day Tours
While most Day Tours are planned in advance, they may also be organized on quite short notice due to changing snow conditions and weather. Check back frequently!
Day tours are for both club members and non members are welcome to try one out as well. If you are not a members you will be required to sign a waiver. Please call the Contact if you are interested in attending a tour, as tours may be cancelled if no interest is shown prior to one week in advance. Please watch for any changes or additions to the schedule.
Avalanche Rescue Training
There are trips on the schedule that require a certification in avalanche safety training. Those trips are identified on the schedule of tours.
The certification required for some trips can be any level of the Avalanche Skills Training (AST) beyond Companion Rescue. The Yamnuska Centre and the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre both operate excellent programs if the club is not running one itself.
The two day AST1 course will give you an understanding of avalanches and avalanche terrain to help you assess your position and provide the rescue skills required to participate and contribute to your touring companions’ safety. The AST2 course is generally 4 days, requiring AST1 as a prerequisite, and will provide opportunities to enhance and deepen your knowledge and practice of the skills.
Tour Schedule
| Dates | Event | Description | Contact | Details | Accommodation & Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10-12, 2023 | Mountain Tour - beginner+ track skiing | Moraine Lake Road and/or Great Divide Trail | Kelly Bogle 403-304-2964 | Great season opener - get your mountain mojo on! Staying at Mosquito Creek Hostel | Mosquito Creek Hostel $90/person 1 week cancellation |
| Nov 18, 2023 | Mountain Tour - beginner tour | Trail Centre Cabin | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Good beginner trip - 15 kms 350m vertical, 65-80mm Nordic skis recommended | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Nov 19, 2023 | Mountain Tour - beginner+ tour and turns | Engadine Lower Burn | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Novice day turns in non-avi terrain, 7kms 460m vert, alpine touring skis | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Mountain Tour - beginner+ tour | Kananaskis Lookout Accom: book your own | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Easy Ski - good season starter - Nordic skis with metal edges recommended | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Dec 8-10, 2023 | Mountain Tour - intermediate+ | Hilda Creek Accom: Rampart Creek Hostel | Dave Allan 780-460-8573 | Yo-yo powder skiing - intermediate, AST1 required, alpine touring skis | Rampart Creek Hostel $90/person |
| Dec 15-17, 2023 | Mountain Tour - beginner+ with nordic touring skis (preferred) | Elk Lakes Tour | Kelly Bogle rkbogle@telusplanet.net | Great beginner backcountry trip, Nordic skis recommended | Kananaskis Hostel, Elk Lakes Cabin $90/person |
| Jan 19, 2024 | Mountain Tour - turning day on alpine touring skis | Noseeum Creek turn day | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Afternoon turns 2kms from trailhead, AST1 required | Book your own No cost from Club |
| Jan 20 or 21, 2024 TBD | Mountain Tour - turning day on alpine touring skis | OXO aka Watermelon Ridge | Dave Allan 780-460-8573 | Easy approach into a bowl for turns just east of Dolomite exit | Lake Louise Hostel $165/person 1 week cancellation |
| Jan 27, 2024 | Mountain Tour - beginner+ turns on apline touring skis | Crowfoot drainage | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Novice to intermediate turns on rarely-skied slopes, 12 km 800m vert, AST1 required | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Jan 28, 2024 | Mountain Tour - touring on Nordic touring skis | Crowfoot to Mosquito Creek Hostel | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | 9km tour, 200m descent, 65-80mm skis, book accom yourself | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Feb 2-4, 2024 | Race weekend - AB Cup 7&8 | Volunteers needed! | Kelly Bogle rkbogle@telusplanet.net | Watch for updates on FB and by email | Front row seats to all the action! |
| Feb 9-11, 2024 | Mountain Tour - Beginner+ track ski | Cascade Fire Road | Linda Dickin ltdickin@gmail.com | Novice+ track skiing | ACC Canmore Clubhouse - $115/person |
| Mar 8-10, 2024 | Mountain Tour - touring | Bald Hills tour | Dave Allan 780-460-8573 | AST1 required, alpine touring skis | Jasper Downtown Hostel $125/person 1 week cancellation |
| Mar 11, 2024 | Mountain Tour - turning day on alpine touring skis | Lovatt Scouts west bowl | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Make turns on a rarely-skied snow bowl, 17kms 950 vert, AST1 required | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Mar 16, 2024 | Mountain Tour - intermediate+ tours and turns on alpine touring skis | Hector Ridgeline | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Intermediate turns, 11km 1000 vert, AST1 required | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |
| Mar 17, 2024 | Mountain Tour - intermediate+ tour and turns on alpine touring skis | West Nile | Ivan Dixon dixon.r.ivan@gmail.com | Intermediate turns, 6.5km 500m vert, AST1 required | Book your own No cost from Club 48 hours cancellation please |