Sunshine backcountry in Quartz bowl Off-Trail skiing on 20-Mar-2025

Participants: Scott, Ivan, Margot

Three of us met at Sunshine base then a ride up gondola and ride up Strawberry chairlift. There we met cold wind and flat light. Though temperature nice.

Skied south across meadows and soon in protection of ridgeline but that was shortlived when entered bowl. A ski over to west side and two short ski runs. Sometimes powder, sometimes crust.

A lunch in trees and made decision none of other slopes looked better so decided to return to resort. Did two short runs on ridgeline where got the powder and a few turns. Wind at back on return so nice flat ski on return in meadows. Noted Great Divide slopes pretty much empty.

Ski down green run to village where one got onto gondola. Other two rode up Jackrabbit for ski down Banff Avenue and gondola loading at Goats eye.

Latter had 12.7 km day, 370 meters up and 670 meters down. Time of 5 hours.

Margot and Scott entering ski slope

View south on Simpson River Valley