Well what a nice day. Visibility was pretty good even though it snowed lightly on/off all day.


Looking towards Birdwood Pass

It stayed near 0C all day, with windchill changing things at the passes. Elevation was our friend and we went to visit often. The fresh snow during the week & Thursday made for great skiing. We left Burstall parking lot around 9am with two other skiers.


Grizzly Duerden

We made good time and were up Birdwood Pass around noon. Since it was windy up top we decided to ski down to the valley. While the other duo went down the regular route and set the up track to Smuts Pass we took Bill's suggestion and skied a different pitch. We had enough fun to warrant another lap with a lunch break before the second run.


Bill breaking trail..again

Gerald cranking turns in Birdwood Creek

You will have to ski with us next year to find this secret stash! Bill also showed us how real Ramblers break trail. After the second run we headed to Smuts Pass picking up the other groups up track. Below Smuts we had another fun run down. We opted for the creek route at Arnold & Bill' suggestion. This gave us two great pitches down before we hit the top of the creek.


AW-Upper Creek exit, below Smuts Pass

NA-Upper Creek exit, below Smuts Pass

The creek run was good fun too until it dumped us out in front of the long slog back to the car. We could see that a few people had been skiing the areas on either side of Commonwealth Creek. John pointed out some of the pitches they had skied on Clifton's April trip on the Pig' Back. Back at The parking lot (by 4.30) we had a light hearted wind-down before heading home. Much thanks to Grizzly, Arnold, Bill, & Norman for the trail breaking, secret stashes, and good company - c/s Gerald.