Recent trips

Week of 9-Jan-2025 to 15-Jan-2025
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
14-Jan,
2025
14-Jan-2025
Off-Trail hike
Grass Pass and Bull Creek Hills, return same way

All of the various weather models had predicted a sunny day, but persistent clouds rolled in before 11:00 - sigh. Despite that, it was a hugely enj more...

13-Jan,
2025
13-Jan-2025
Trail hike
Troll Falls-Marmot Falls back via Ruthie's-

Four of us had a really pleasant walk up to Troll Falls and then we continued to the upper falls that Daffern calls Boulder Falls and Double Falls more...

13-Jan,
2025
13-Jan-2025
Trail hike
Prairie View / Barrier lookout / Jewell Pass loop

The day started with a slight mix-up, as my order for calm, sunny weather had not arrived on time as we departed for a windy trek across the reserv more...

11-Jan,
2025
11-Jan-2025
Trail skiing
Takakkaw Falls

We arrived at the Yoho Valley road trailhead to amazing snow conditions - deep fluffy powder snow. The temperature was around -6C and there more...

11-Jan,
2025
11-Jan-2025
Off-Trail hike
Cox Hill - winter hike

Today was proof that any day spent hiking is a great day, thanks to the fun and compatible group and weather that was nowhere near as miserable as more...

Week of 2-Jan-2025 to 8-Jan-2025
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
7-Jan,
2025
7-Jan-2025
Trail skiing
Bryant C to Marvel L (from east of Shelter)

When I posted the trip we were unsure what the conditions would be like. Then Normand posted on Skier Roger's blog that he had travelled the trail more...

7-Jan,
2025
7-Jan-2025
Downhill skiing
Nakiska downhill skiing

We met about 10.00am in Nakiska's lodge. The car thermometer had registered -10c with some wind especially higher up. For some, it was the first do more...

7-Jan,
2025
7-Jan-2025
Trail hike
Ranger Ridge via Fullerton Loop & Bobcat

By combining several trails we managed a 13 km day with 400 m of elevation gain. A bit chilly at the start but getting a lot warmer the higher we w more...

6-Jan,
2025
6-Jan-2025
Off-Trail skiing
sunshine ride Gondola ride Standish slack country

Bluebird day -5C no wind . Ski pen 20 cm. Boot pen to ground up to 80 cm. Absolutely no sign of avi instability. One shark nibble. Open creek drain more...

4-Jan,
2025
4-Jan-2025
Track skiing
PLPP Elkwood Parking lot track skiing.

We had a great ski today given that there hasn't been a lot of recent snowfall. From the Elkwood parking lot we skied in the following order: Wheel more...

Week of 26-Dec-2024 to 1-Jan-2025
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
1-Jan,
2025
1-Jan-2025
Trail hike
Calgary Zoo walk

With the colder weather there were no crowds to bother us at the zoo. We alternated into the tropical exhibits when we got chilled; some of the ani more...

26-Dec,
2024
26-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
HI Castle Ski 3 days (hwy 1+93)

We had a good time trail skiing for 3 days from a base at the Castle Mountain HI hostel. We skied The Kicking Horse Fire Road (near Emerald Lake), more...

28-Dec,
2024
28-Dec-2024
Track skiing
PLPP "Middle" trails from the Elkwood Parking lot

We had a nice day skiing Wheeler, Whiskey Jack, Pocaterra, Lynx, Amos, and Wheeler. Some added the Amos, Woolley and Meadow loop while others skied more...

Week of 19-Dec-2024 to 25-Dec-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
23-Dec,
2024
23-Dec-2024
Track skiing
PLPP - Whiskey Jack, Tyrwhitt, Elk Pass loop

It was mainly overcast, with only a few sunny breaks, but we had a very nice trip.
We set out from the cars at 9:45 (temp -3c) and got the major more...

22-Dec,
2024
22-Dec-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Hidden L, Little Richardson NE slope

Wow - what a fun day out. The weather forecast delivered snow, and we were the first group back there in a week, so we had fresh tracks in boot top more...

20-Dec,
2024
20-Dec-2024
Track skiing
Moraine Rd viewpoint from L.Louise PL

A few centimetres of new snow covered the tracks but they were eminently skiable on this fine sunny day with temperature around -4C all day. We ski more...

Week of 12-Dec-2024 to 18-Dec-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
16-Dec,
2024
16-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
L&U Tramlines, Fairview & Paradise Valley 2nd Brid

We were the first vehicles at the Lower Tramline TH. At the new Tramline alignment for the fire guard we took time to inspect it as we skied by. No more...

16-Dec,
2024
16-Dec-2024
Trail hike
Sulphur Springs - Riverview loop

A pleasant walk with excellent company and interesting conversation. It was several degrees warmer than Calgary and, although the sun only appeared more...

15-Dec,
2024
15-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
Blueberry Hill, West Elk Pass, Elk Pass

We had a fine day skiing Fox Creek, Elk Pass trail, Blueberry Hill, West Elk Pass (through to the hydro line), back to Elk Pass, through Patterson more...

14-Dec,
2024
14-Dec-2024
Off-Trail hike
High Noon Hills

Seven Ramblers + a four legged canine enjoyed a beautiful sunny and warm day hiking the High Noon hills. West , East and up to the corral for lunch more...

12-Dec,
2024
12-Dec-2024
Scramble
Mt Baldy (downgraded from the traverse)

With the unusually warm and snow free weather in the front ranges, we decided to try one more "one last" scramble for 2024, with the idea that we w more...

Week of 5-Dec-2024 to 11-Dec-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
11-Dec,
2024
11-Dec-2024
Track skiing
Moraine Rd viewpoint from L.Louise PL

A very nice day on excellent snow under mostly cloudy skies. After a chilly -11C ski down Tramline to Moraine we warmed up heading uphill to the ju more...

11-Dec,
2024
11-Dec-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine - turns in Quartz bowl

Participants: Ed, Ivan, Margot

Three of us rode up gondola and then Strawberry chairlift. A ski across the meadows t more...

10-Dec,
2024
10-Dec-2024
Scramble
Baldy south peak GR 373520 via Baldy Pass
The various weather forecasts were correct regarding the sun and air temperature, but they all vastly underestimated the wind which we estimated was a more...
9-Dec,
2024
9-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
L O'Hara via Fire Road

Lots of new snow. Road to parking lot not ploughed on arrival, but done on return. Temperature was -4C at start and cloudy.

Skier tr more...

9-Dec,
2024
9-Dec-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine 3 lakes tour

Participants: Clifton, Ed, Roy, Ivan, Bill

We five rode up gondola and Wawa chairlift. Short sk more...

8-Dec,
2024
8-Dec-2024
Off-Trail hike
Grass pass / Fir ck.ridge loop

Our cheerful group of eight made their way up the icy trail to Grass pass in rather bleak conditions. But the cold wind and gray sky never dampen o more...

7-Dec,
2024
7-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
Redearth Creek to Warden's Cabin

As we drove by Banff in light drizzle, some fog, and passing an Amazon transport truck well off the road, I was really wondering why we were out. B more...

6-Dec,
2024
6-Dec-2024
Track skiing
Lake Louise PL to Moraine Lake viewpoint

I was pleasantly surprised to have 3 Ramblers as company on this trip. I suspect most Ramblers would normally ski this trip with a friend or even b more...

5-Dec,
2024
5-Dec-2024
Trail hike
Merlin View loop +Kestrel viewpoint

Trail report: a mix of hard packed snow , soft sticky snow , ice , slush and mud. Weather report: a beautiful sunny warm day and no wind. Group rev more...

Week of 28-Nov-2024 to 4-Dec-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
4-Dec,
2024
4-Dec-2024
Social
Christmas Potluck

The annual Christmas potluck was the usual fine event with Rambler-supplied turkey and ham plus the usual eclectic salads, side dishes and desserts more...

4-Dec,
2024
4-Dec-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine backcountry - turns on Wawa ridge

Participants: Ed, Ivan, Bill

Excellent ski day. The three of us met at Sunshine base, rode up gondola and rode up more...

2-Dec,
2024
2-Dec-2024
Trail skiing
PLPP Blueberry Hill, Elk Pass and Patterson Meadows

From the Elk Pass trailhead parking we skied Boulton and Fox Creek to bypass the Elk Pass hill which was windy. Lots of skier tracks over a great b more...

2-Dec,
2024
2-Dec-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Trail Center plus 2 lakes

Participants: Clifton, Ivan, Agnieszka

On drive, from Canmore, the temperature started to drop noticeably in Spray Lake area. Ar more...

30-Nov,
2024
30-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Avalanche Practice (Sat)

Participants Sat: Sim, Danielle, Phyllis, Bob, Paul, Jane, Ulrike, Gordon, Jenny, {2042 more...

30-Nov,
2024
30-Nov-2024
Trail skiing
West Bragg Ski Trails:Telephone Loop

We were greeted with a -9C temperature in the West Bragg Creek parking lot, about 10C warmer than in Calgary. Our group of 3 set off at the east Te more...

28-Nov,
2024
28-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Avalanche Practice (16)

For writeup, see Nov.30 report: h more...

Week of 21-Nov-2024 to 27-Nov-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
27-Nov,
2024
27-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine out of bounds baby turns day

Participants: Roy, Ivan, Bill

We 3 met at big bear at 9:30, ride up gondola and ride up new Angel chairlift. Our chai more...

26-Nov,
2024
26-Nov-2024
Track skiing
West Bragg Ski Trails: general

We couldn't have picked a better day for what was the first ski of the season for at least half the group. The trails were rolled (but not trackset more...

25-Nov,
2024
25-Nov-2024
Trail hike
Prairie Mtn - W.Ridge Loop

With weather and roads a bit uncertain, I was lucky to have a small "family" of strong hikers join me for a Monday march up this small mountain tod more...

24-Nov,
2024
24-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Kananaskis Lookout from Hwy 40 before Dec.1

We had a very nice day, cold but mainly sunny. Trail-breaking was moderate.
The route into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park trails via the "Back D more...

Week of 14-Nov-2024 to 20-Nov-2024
Date
Activity
Destination
Report
20-Nov,
2024
20-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine north meadows tour - no turns

Participants: Ed, Evan, Ivan, Agnieszka, Bill

5 of us met at base at 9:30. Ride up gondola and then ski up more...

18-Nov,
2024
18-Nov-2024
Off-Trail skiing
Sunshine Meadows tour - no turns

3 of us met in parking lot at 9:30 and rode up gondola. Put on skins in village and skied south into meadows. Nice snow, ok for tour but still foun more...

17-Nov,
2024
17-Nov-2024
Scramble
Yamnuska traverse (east to west)
Wanting to squeeze in one more (possibly last) scramble on dry rock for this year, I was happy to find two comrades to join me. The weather was surpri more...