Chic Scott - Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies

Skiers near Halfway Hut on the way to Skoki Lodge. Photo WMCR Lloyd Harmon V108 1286

Copyright 1992, 2002, 2005, 2009 by Chic Scott
Copyright 2016 by Chic Scott and Darren Farley
Fifth Edition

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Cataloguing data available from Library and Archives Canada
ISBN 978-1-77160-118-4 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-77160-119-1 (epub)

Cover photo: Shawn McDonald and Dean Lister cross Amethyst Lake in the Tonquin Valley. Photo Chic Scott

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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts, and of the province of British Columbia through the British Columbia Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

Nous reconnaissons laide financire du gouvernement du Canada par lentremise du Fonds du livre du Canada et le Conseil des arts du Canada, et de la province de la Colombie-Britannique par le Conseil des arts de la Colombie-Britannique et le Crdit dimpt pour ldition de livres.

Disclaimer

The actions described in this book may be considered inherently dangerous activities. Individuals undertake these activities at their own risk. The information put forth in this guide has been collected from a variety of sources and is not guaranteed to be completely accurate or reliable. Many conditions and some information may change owing to weather and numerous other factors beyond the control of the authors and publishers. Individuals or groups must determine the risks, use their own judgment, and take full responsibility for their actions. Do not depend on any information found in this book for your own personal safety. Your safety depends on your own good judgment based on your skills, education, and experience.

It is up to the users of this guidebook to acquire the necessary skills for safe experiences and to exercise caution in potentially hazardous areas. The authors and publishers of this guide accept no responsibility for your actions or the results that occur from anothers actions, choices, or judgments. If you have any doubt as to your safety or your ability to attempt anything described in this guidebook, do not attempt it.

Don Gardner and Joan Dunkley enjoy the sunshine in the Little Yoho Valley. Photo Chic Scott

PREFACE

By the time this edition of Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies reaches the bookstores I will be 70 years of age and collecting my pension. Luckily I am still in good health and still out on the ski trails many days each winter. But it is time to begin to pass on the torch to a younger generation. Darren Farley, who is just 23 years old, is already very experienced and full of passion, and is responsible for much of the content of this book. It has been a real pleasure to work with Darren and he has brought a new perspective to this undertaking.

In this edition you will find a number of cross-country ski trail networks outside the national parks plus many new trails. In 2010, with three companions, I skied the Jasper to Banff traverse (as far as Lake Louise), so you will also find a greatly expanded guide to this historic traverse. Thanks to Rocky Mountain Books, this edition is printed in colour and contains excellent revised maps.

Since the publication of the first edition of Ski Trails back in 1977 there has been tremendous growth in the sport of cross-country skiing and now there are thousands of skiers on the trails each weekend. I hope all of you have a wonderful experience gliding across the snow and that you continue to enjoy winter in the Rocky Mountains for decades to come.

See you on the ski trail,

Chic Scott

Seana Strain, Karen Barkley, Heather Walter, Kathy Madill and Pat McCloskey ski along the Pipestone trails near Lake Louise. Photo Chic Scott

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my best friend, Kathy Madill, for being such a pleasant ski companion and for sharing her excellent images with me. I would also like to thank the other photographers who have allowed me to use their images: Clive Cordery, Gill Daffern, Aileen Harmon, Sara Renner, Brad Kitching, Bow Valley Photography, Canmore Nordic Centre, Ken Chow, Alan Kane, Tomasz Gehrke, Gabriel Altebaeumer, Brad White, Orange Girl Photography, Jo Lunn, Tim Johnson, Jose LaRochelle and Matt Hadley. Once again I would like to thank the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Jasper/Yellowhead Museum & Archives for the use of several historic photos. Finally I would like to thank Don Gorman, Chyla Cardinal and Joe Wilderson at Rocky Mountain Books for all their hard work creating this volume.

It is better to go skiing and think of God,
than go to church and think of sport.

Fridtjof Nansen

INTRODUCTION

Skiing in the Canadian Rockies is a wonderful and varied experience. You can enjoy a safe and easy trackset trail or explore the high and wild backcountry. You can camp in the solitude of a remote valley or stay in the luxury and comfort of one of our historic lodges.

Skiing in these mountains offers you the opportunity to escape the noise and rush of our culture. In the winter you need venture only a few hundred metres from the road to enter a world of silence and beauty. In the winter all is clean, new and fresh. The purity of the snow formations, the wind and the clouds can put new life in your soul. The fresh air and hard exercise can put roses in your cheeks.

The Canadian Rockies have been home to ski adventure since the late 1920s. Long before the development of ski resorts and mechanical lifts, skiers from around the world journeyed to the Rockies to experience the winter wilderness. And much of that history is still around us. Thankfully most of the areas covered in this book are protected as national or provincial parks and little has changed over the years. You can still experience the same adventure and beauty that the pioneers enjoyed.

There are, however, serious hazards for ski tourers in the Canadian Rockies and you must be well prepared and use good judgment to venture safely into these mountains. The penalty for mistakes can be harsh indeed. Judgment comes with experience and it is advised that you begin slowly with modest trips, then gradually work your way into the more demanding ski tours.