We set out from the parking lot behind the Banff Springs Hotel shortly after nine under partly cloudy skies and a temperature around -8. Snow coverage was good, albeit thin over the first couple of kilometres. Conditions gradually improved with more snow and tracksetting. We made pretty good time to the Spray River bridge where we paused for a few photos.

Spray R. and Rundle

The gang on Spray R. Bridge

From there it was a short ski to the bridge over Goat Ck.

Looking up Goat Ck

Since it was still before noon , we decided to continue on up the Goat Creek trail until a few succumbed to hunger pangs.

Different dining styles!

There was some discussion about continuing on to the parking lot at Whiteman Pass on the Smith Dorrien road to make it a 38 km day. The final solution seemed to work well for all.

Because of commitments in the early evening, a carload of four elected to head back after lunch. Three continued on for a half hour or so and three made it to the trail end. The latter six all arrived at the cars about the same time.

Thanks to all for joining in a good day's ski.

Participants: Philip(coordinator & photos), Christine, Damian, Bob, Margo, Carolyn and guest Amanda, Michael, Marianne and Terry