Three Ramblers had an awesome day in Sunshine Meadows under a bluebird skies and very comfortable temperatures.

The reward for the two hours of drudgery skinning up from the parking lot up to the area boundary was a playground of lovely options. Spectacular views, lovely snow, a variety of destinations and a plethora of gentle slopes.

Sim and Mark at the top of our run down to Rock Isle Lake (Goat'sEye and Great Divide in bkg)

Our first run was down to the Rock Isle Lake area. From there we followed existing track towards Quartz Ridge and Citadel Pass. Quartz Ridge did not look very inviting so we climbed up to a knoll east of Larix Lake (and the high point roughly half way between Twin Cairns and Quartz Ridge) where we had lunch.


Lunch break at the top of a knoll east of Larix Lake (the Monarch in bkg)

We made a couple of runs on the east slope of that knoll.


Turns off our lunch knoll

And then headed across the meadows towards a longer inviting slope that lies close to the ski area boundary below Bye Bye Bowl. Great views all along this 2 km traverse.


Mt Assiniboine with it's usual plume

We had very nice snow and turns on that slope (about 180 m vertical).


Mark making turns below Bye Bye Bowl towards Howard Douglas creek

Sweet snow below Bye Bye Bowl

We then climbed back up most of that slope and then skied back down to the bottom of the Great Divide Chair paralleling the tracks of some "slack-country" skiers. And then down the rather fast skiout to the parking lot.
About 6 hours car to car, 22 km, 1000m elevation gain.

I had not explored this area before other than on trips out to Citadel Pass. That has been a mistake, I expect to be back, probably more than once per season. There are a wide selection of very gradual slopes, but not a lot of challenging terrain (so maybe the younger stronger skiers will stay away). One could pretty easily tour around the area avoiding all avalanche danger (but not our best/longest run). Certainly the great weather and snow helped make the day so great.

Many thanks to participants: Sim, and Mark for joining me, Carl (C/S).