With Dee being pregnant and due in March, I had to reconsider my usual annual ski trip. Timing and cost were the main reasons for reconsideration.
Whilst I was deliberating, Tess and LoŃ—c invited me on their trip, and directed me towards Andy, trip organizer. After some last minute arrangements, booking time off work, payment organization and I was packed and loaded in a helicopter within 5 days. Icefall Lodge was the final destination.
This year was also a little different due to the fact that the trip was essentially catered. Andy’s girlfriend Moe accompanied us on the trip, and was kind enough to use our group as a “practice group” for her up coming season as chef extraordinaire at Icefall Lodge. In the past I’ve always eaten well while on these sorts of ski trips, however this time was above and beyond. The food was spectacular, and while Moe didn’t cook every meal, she did all the meal planning, preparation, and delegation for the group. Well done Moe!
Of the group I knew four of the 17, though only 15 were in our group (the two others consisted of another guy named Mark from Vermont, and his guide Jeff). Fifteen is a large group number, and I was nervous to be skiing with so many new faces, of whom I had no idea of their skiing ability, avalanche knowledge, and most importantly their tolerance to alcohol. However I quickly learned that I was in good hands as most of the group had worked at the Centre for Outdoor Education in Nordegg Alberta, at least four of the group were volunteer or pro-patrollers at various ski hills throughout western Canada, two were EMS/Paramedics, we had a fire fighter, and one of the group was on his way to obtaining his full mountain guide status.
Of the group I knew four of the 17, though only 15 were in our group (the two others consisted of another guy named Mark from Vermont, and his guide Jeff). Fifteen is a large group number, and I was nervous to be skiing with so many new faces, of whom I had no idea of their skiing ability, avalanche knowledge, and most importantly their tolerance to alcohol. However I quickly learned that I was in good hands as most of the group had worked at the Centre for Outdoor Education in Nordegg Alberta, at least four of the group were volunteer or pro-patrollers at various ski hills throughout western Canada, two were EMS/Paramedics, we had a fire fighter, and one of the group was on his way to obtaining his full mountain guide status.
Day 1 – Saturday December 6th
We all met at the Heli Pad, anxiously waiting for the weather to clear. After some deep wishing the clouds parted and we were off. On the flight in I was shocked when I finally did see the cabin. Looking at the surrounding terrain, the nearby glaciers, steep bowls, and what appeared to be endless terrain I was both taken a back and excited by the challenging terrain. By the time the group had all arrived at the lodge, daylight was weaning and there was no time to ski, so first tracks would have to wait until morning…
Day 2 – Sunday December 7th
It snowed, Yes! What a way to start the week. Fresh tracks in warm weather (-6ish). Andy lead the group up Home Run to give us all some bearing. After a quick introduction, he sped off leaving the group to collectively choke on his snow dust and watch him carve sweet turns…this pretty much set the tempo for the week.
Total time out skiing: 6hrs 17 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1211m (3972 ft)
Max elevation: 2285m (7494 ft)
Cabin elevation: 1900m (6300 ft)
Day 3 – Monday, December 8th
It snowed, again! Hobbit Trees beckoned to us, and the rest of the group ridiculed us, but it was worth it! We got deep fresh tracks through freshly gladded old growth forest and they were fine. For them to be so close to the cabin made it that much sweeter! I think when we were done there may have been some moguls in there, but hey, what do I know, I’m no expert here! We later caught up to the rest of the group who were slogging into an upper bowl and breaking trail the whole way. Thanks guys! Your hard work made me really appreciate my turns J
Total time out skiing: 6hrs 08 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1520m (4985 ft)
Max elevation: 2453m (8045 ft)
Day 4 – Tuesday, December 9thMore snow…We eyed out a chute the day before and pondered possible access routes. As it happened, our plan for the day walked right past the obvious route, and Jeff and Mark were nice enough to have already broken a trail 95% of the way. Having not broken much trail (those who painstakingly set most of the previous days up track would likely say that we had not broken any, however I will argue that we had put in at most 200m thus far) the last 5% was left to us. It was worth it! What a line, sweet snow, and great turns. Cory even managed to execute a perfect, and totally “intentional”, rock grind to full stop, to head plant forward roll, to continue skiing move…we still need to find a name for that move!
The rest of the day was spent exploring tight, steep trees with pillow drops and limited alder bashing, that led us to valley bottom. What great snow!
Total time out skiing: 7hrs 21 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1250m (4100 ft)
Max elevation: 2330m (7642 ft)
Day 5 – Wednesday, December 10th
More snow…again! Our group felt it would be a good idea to head up Home Run again. An up track was already set, and it was close and calling our names. After a quick run we saw that the other group had set a track up the shoulder above the cabin, which unannounced to them was to be our next area for exploration. Once again we capitalized on an up track being set for us. This led us to a chute called Kitchenette (or so it was dubbed by Jeff that week). We beat the rest of the group down, but congregated at a mutual skinning area where we got to see them shred Kitchen Chute. At last everyone was in the same place, however we quickly scuttled off to enjoy other fresh lines that we’d been eyeing out throughout the week. What I had envisioned to be a relatively slow day turned out to be a pretty big vertical day due to the fact that we did a lot of up and down and not much deviating side to side from the cabin area.
Total time out skiing: 5hrs 16 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1150m (3775 ft)
Max elevation: 2250m (7380 ft)
Day 6 – Thursday, December 11th
Sunshine! Clear skies and visibility. The upper bowls and passes yodelled, drawing us to the high country for boundless views of the Rockies! The snow was a little crusty and windblown at the top, but we were rewarded at the top with unparalleled views and an opportunity to see what sort of terrain we were surrounded by. The sun crested the hilltops south of us as we climbed through the morning made for some fantastic colours and picturesque Monet style skies. The afternoon brought us back into the Home Run area which we tracked into oblivion. The runs reminded me of years past when we enjoyed tracks in Chico’s Bowl at Valhalla Lodge. The end of the day saw us in Hobbit Trees again.
Total time out skiing: 7hrs 15 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1700m (5576 ft)
Max elevation: 2625m (8610 ft)
Day 7 – Friday, December 12th
Snow! Snow! Snow! 25cms over night to be exact! Light fluffy, and oh so fine. We ripped Hobbit Trees first thing. Once again they treated us well, however at the bottom I was in some pretty serious discomfort due to a pressure point in my boot. I ascended to the cabin in hopes of resolving the problem, however after a quick stop I re-joined a group but made all of about 25 metres before I realized that I couldn’t continue. I had a good week, and will be skiing again next week at Big White with the family over Christmas, and with that in mind I called it a day. The last thing I wanted to have happen is to injure myself and have some lingering pain for the rest of the season. From what I understand though, it was probably the best ski day of the trip, however I found it to be the best reading day of the trip.
Day 8 - Sunday, December 13th
We woke up to -25 and windy. The decision of whether or not to get the chores done quick and get out to ski or not was quickly and easily made. A leisurely breakfast was consumed and chores took time. Despite the cold, it was a great day for a helicopter ride, which rewarded us with fantastic views as we crested ridgelines and entered into new valleys. We deliberated and came to the conclusion that temperatures would likely stay cold for the next 24hrs at least, which would make skiing terribly uncomfortable the following day, so we packed it in and came home that night. A good choice I think as it gave us all a day to reacclimatize ourselves to civilization before returning to the rat race.
Check out the photos from the week here.
Sunshine! Clear skies and visibility. The upper bowls and passes yodelled, drawing us to the high country for boundless views of the Rockies! The snow was a little crusty and windblown at the top, but we were rewarded at the top with unparalleled views and an opportunity to see what sort of terrain we were surrounded by. The sun crested the hilltops south of us as we climbed through the morning made for some fantastic colours and picturesque Monet style skies. The afternoon brought us back into the Home Run area which we tracked into oblivion. The runs reminded me of years past when we enjoyed tracks in Chico’s Bowl at Valhalla Lodge. The end of the day saw us in Hobbit Trees again.
Total time out skiing: 7hrs 15 mins
Total elevation skied (one way): 1700m (5576 ft)
Max elevation: 2625m (8610 ft)
Day 7 – Friday, December 12th
Snow! Snow! Snow! 25cms over night to be exact! Light fluffy, and oh so fine. We ripped Hobbit Trees first thing. Once again they treated us well, however at the bottom I was in some pretty serious discomfort due to a pressure point in my boot. I ascended to the cabin in hopes of resolving the problem, however after a quick stop I re-joined a group but made all of about 25 metres before I realized that I couldn’t continue. I had a good week, and will be skiing again next week at Big White with the family over Christmas, and with that in mind I called it a day. The last thing I wanted to have happen is to injure myself and have some lingering pain for the rest of the season. From what I understand though, it was probably the best ski day of the trip, however I found it to be the best reading day of the trip.
Day 8 - Sunday, December 13th
We woke up to -25 and windy. The decision of whether or not to get the chores done quick and get out to ski or not was quickly and easily made. A leisurely breakfast was consumed and chores took time. Despite the cold, it was a great day for a helicopter ride, which rewarded us with fantastic views as we crested ridgelines and entered into new valleys. We deliberated and came to the conclusion that temperatures would likely stay cold for the next 24hrs at least, which would make skiing terribly uncomfortable the following day, so we packed it in and came home that night. A good choice I think as it gave us all a day to reacclimatize ourselves to civilization before returning to the rat race.
Check out the photos from the week here.
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