Made it in one long but gloriously sunny day.

We left the Fish Creek trail head at 9.00am and returned about 6.15pm for a 9 1/4 hour day of 28km with 1100m elevation gain and loss. The weather was perfect, rising from -6c to +2c with sunshine all day but some wind (as usual) on Ptarmigan Lake and Deception Pass. Beyond the ski area the snow was quite good with maybe 10cm of powder on a hard base. It made for nice downhill skiing on both sides of Deception Pass. The trail was slick, hard packed, undulating and fast with some irritating, but not dangerous, footprints all the way to the lodge. By the day's end the skiout was unfortunately borderline ice which gave David problems on his old tele-gear. Only holding a marginal edge I was scared of falling, though Gordon and Marianne managed fine on AT gear. While I was very grateful for their patience, I suspect that this was my last club day ski trip to Skoki. I'm just too old, slow and scared when its icy. Other younger coordinators (under 60?) will have to take over.

If I never ski it again, I will not be too disappointed for I have done the trip about once annually since 1994 and its one of my favourite tours, along with the Dolomite circuit, Citadel Pass and the French-Haig-Robertson circuit. Today, the scenery was the best and I have very pleasant memories of it and the friendly lodge staff.

Near Deception Pass we noticed the effects of 2 natural (?) avalanches (size 1?) that had run to ground but neither were near the trail. One probably happened this day (March 14, 2024). We met several other skiers including 2 Ramblers who were much faster than me. Thanks to Jack for our group photo. As planned, I managed to take in Bill Corbett's good backpacking presentation in Canmore and bought his new book. He expects to present to ACC Calgary soon and Ramblers late in 2024.

Gordon and Marianne enjoy lunch in the sunshine at Skoki Lodge

Gordon and Marianne at Deception Pass enroute to Skoki Lodge

Gordon, Marianne and David near Skoki Lodge

Mt. Temple from Ptarmigan Lake on return from Skoki Lodge day ski trip

Participants: David, Gordon, Marianne.