On the drive home from one of our recent "early finish" ski trips, I was talked into posting one of the most rewarding ski tours in our part of the Rockies. Although the weather forecast was not promising perfect blue ski, eight hopeful Ramblers headed up from the Stanley Glacier parking lot to the drainage leading to the normal ski route to Storm Mountain. We reached the top of the fire break, cut during the last fire in the area, on a well established ski track. From there the route follows the drainage to a rock band, which has to be surmounted, before one can continue up the valley.


Carl deciding not to take the alternative route.

Thanks to trail breakers Carl, Arnold and Inge, who set an excellent track up though the rock band, we soon reached the more open mid section of the route. By this time the sky had unfortunately become grey and visibility poor. A little after tree line, just before the rewarding section of the trip, we made our lunch stop. It had started to snow, the upper portion of the route had disappeared in the mist, and it did not take long before we decided to turn around. Skiing down had its challenges, because snow conditions were deceiving with pockets of depth hoar that caused several unexpected collapses. After traversing above the rock band we found the only decent skiing on this trip.


Bill enjoying the only good skiing on this trip.

Philip riding the heavy powder.

I think this improved the group spirit a little.


The trail breaking crew, slightly disappointed, but still in good spirits.

After negotiating the ski out along the little creek, we reached the fire break, and decided to ski the rather sticky, heavy snow down to the high way.



The view we were hoping for but did not get.

Several in our group, who had done this trip before, could only dream of the wonderful views that could have been had. On the drive home, it poured rain on Vermilion Pass and in the Bow Valley. Thank you Inge, Kevin, Bill, John, Carl, Philip, Arnold for joining me on this trip. We will pick better weather next time. Manfred C&S