This is a new winter trip for the Ramblers. While all 3 of us had all done this trip in the summer, none of us had done it in the winter as a ski tour. We left the Black Prince parking lot under overcast skies with light snow falling. After a quick run up to Warspite Lake, we headed to the meadows SW of the lake. The easiest route up the headwall section is to the right of the water course, following a series of benches and then higher up traversing left through the trees up into the hanging valley above the headwall.


Approaching the headwall above the meadows

In the spirit of adventure we chose to take a line on the far left of the drainage and traverse across. This route got us above the steep section of the drainage, but is more difficult and is not recommended. A lower line on the left of the waterfall, zigzagging through the thin trees is an option if concerned with avalanche risk on the normal route.


Mt Warspite and the hanging valley above the headwall

Kevin, Damian and John on the ridge above Black Prince Lakes

After a quick lunch break in the trees in upper cirque, we contoured right and up traversing moderate slopes to the ridge just above Black Prince Lakes. The overcast skies did not allow us to experience the great views which would be present on a clear day.


John skiing the slope below Black Prince Lakes

In spite of the fact the snow was very wet, the skiing down from the ridge to the upper cirque floor was better than expected. Under good snow/light conditions one could add additional yoyo turns by cycling the slope below the ridge or skiing the 30 degee slope (225m of vertical) on the other side of the valley


Damian making turns on the slopes below the headwall

Skiing back down to the meadows

We got some more turns in below the headwall and then skied the benches down to the meadow.


Back in the meadows with Warspite Outlier in the background

This ski tour has a number of positives - easy access, relatively short distance and elevation gain (9.3 KM return and 675 m), great scenery and good terrain for yoyo turns on the way down. Thanks to Damian and John for joining me on a new adventure and especially to John for the extra trail breaking efforts through the wet snow.