Snow came early to the Rockies this year and it seemed like everyone was out enjoying the novelty of October turns while I was stuck in Red Deer. Patience paid off however. A quick trip to the Icefields Parkway on Remembrance Day for some powder on Puzzle Peak was the perfect way to start the season! I left after work Sunday night and drove out to Mosquito Creek Hostel which we basically had to ourselves. I met Kyle who had been skiing dirt on South Hector that day. According to reports from friends, Puzzle Peak was in much snowier condition so we made that our objective for Monday.
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| Emerging from the trees for our first view of Puzzle Peak |
The uptrack is only a few hundred meters down the highway from the Hostel so we were able to get a leisurely start. There was a distinct trail already broken through the trees and it was an easy approach up into the alpine.
We could see signs of avalanche activity on the slopes above the drainage between Dolomite and Puzzle so we stayed high and way from that area. You gain 500m of elevation before you reach the bottom of the ski slope which is a 400m run, but the terrain is quite mellow and it was an enjoyable walk in the sunshine.
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| Avalanche activity on the opposite side of the valley - not visible from the creek below |
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| Getting closer to the ski slope |
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| Amazing weather on the Icefields Parkway |
We skinned up the lookers left side of the slope and dropped in for two fantastic runs. The snow was light on a supportive crust which made for a very enjoyable first day on skis. There were other groups out but plenty of space for people to find fresh tracks.
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| Dropping in for our first lap |
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| Well tracked slope - a popular destination this year (one week before the landslide) |
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| Happy Jenny on day 1 of skiing this season |
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| Kyle getting STOKED! |
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| Finding some fresh turns in early November is always a treat |
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| Back at the car |
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