SteveR
Member
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2016
- Messages
- 902
After what looked like a promising start to the Alberta ski season in late October, summer tried to re-assert itself and for the last month, adventures in the foothills have looked mostly like this:
![P1030520-copy-2.jpg P1030520-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127659-3919d43f534b18123483da639570ed5b.jpg)
Along the divide further west, a slow accumulation of snow made for a perfect day of early season skiing last week, to the Kananaskis Fire Lookout, a perennial favorite.
![P1030492-copy-2.jpg P1030492-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127651-dbaac2413c55e55c0cab639ed6078fff.jpg)
A winter wonderland with 10 cm of fresh fluff overnight.
![P1030496-copy-2.jpg P1030496-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127653-0619089adf26b5795f8bbf7f7132ac72.jpg)
Most of our route followed xc ski trails, some of which had seen a bit of snowmobile packing to build a base for future grooming.
![P1030494-copy-2.jpg P1030494-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127652-af5fbcd8cc99685111ae773ea548fbae.jpg)
Up, up and more up on the long climb to the lookout.
![P1030500-copy-2.jpg P1030500-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127654-9ddc0e142c0da76a57fa501e029979c6.jpg)
A gust of wind filled the air with crystals!
![P1030498-copy-2.jpg P1030498-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127655-a45f34c5113bb517f0888ee95b50ad47.jpg)
At the top, looking south to Elk Pass and the Elk Range in BC.
![P1030503-copy-2.jpg P1030503-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127656-88ae878722f5aa65d6e317928645db4f.jpg)
Great weather for an extended picnic, with only a light breeze and a temperature of just below zero. The picnic table reveals the snowpack depth, which is only about 60% of what would be the norm right now.
The amazing panorama looking west to the still unfrozen Kananaskis Lakes.
![Untitled_Panorama1-copy-3.jpg Untitled_Panorama1-copy-3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127658-f4888b9e86715f420964f79f8ac3f19a.jpg)
After a descent that was a bit challenging on the skinny skis, easy cruising to finish off a perfect day of November skiing.
We've been out in the same general area a couple of times since, enjoying some OK early season skiing, but have been repeating the mantra of skiers everywhere: bring on the snow!
![P1030520-copy-2.jpg P1030520-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127659-3919d43f534b18123483da639570ed5b.jpg)
Along the divide further west, a slow accumulation of snow made for a perfect day of early season skiing last week, to the Kananaskis Fire Lookout, a perennial favorite.
![P1030492-copy-2.jpg P1030492-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127651-dbaac2413c55e55c0cab639ed6078fff.jpg)
A winter wonderland with 10 cm of fresh fluff overnight.
![P1030496-copy-2.jpg P1030496-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127653-0619089adf26b5795f8bbf7f7132ac72.jpg)
Most of our route followed xc ski trails, some of which had seen a bit of snowmobile packing to build a base for future grooming.
![P1030494-copy-2.jpg P1030494-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127652-af5fbcd8cc99685111ae773ea548fbae.jpg)
Up, up and more up on the long climb to the lookout.
![P1030500-copy-2.jpg P1030500-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127654-9ddc0e142c0da76a57fa501e029979c6.jpg)
A gust of wind filled the air with crystals!
![P1030498-copy-2.jpg P1030498-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127655-a45f34c5113bb517f0888ee95b50ad47.jpg)
At the top, looking south to Elk Pass and the Elk Range in BC.
![P1030503-copy-2.jpg P1030503-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127656-88ae878722f5aa65d6e317928645db4f.jpg)
Great weather for an extended picnic, with only a light breeze and a temperature of just below zero. The picnic table reveals the snowpack depth, which is only about 60% of what would be the norm right now.
![P1030504-copy-2.jpg P1030504-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127660-893c37e2cdcc29b0b2b23b56cd778833.jpg)
The amazing panorama looking west to the still unfrozen Kananaskis Lakes.
![Untitled_Panorama1-copy-3.jpg Untitled_Panorama1-copy-3.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127658-f4888b9e86715f420964f79f8ac3f19a.jpg)
After a descent that was a bit challenging on the skinny skis, easy cruising to finish off a perfect day of November skiing.
![P1030514-copy-2.jpg P1030514-copy-2.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/127/127657-eae891d281f198e0e8ede198c62de8dd.jpg)
We've been out in the same general area a couple of times since, enjoying some OK early season skiing, but have been repeating the mantra of skiers everywhere: bring on the snow!