Dolomite Circuit

Planning ski trips is tricky business when you book dates months in advance. Emily and Trevor had claimed the weekend of Dec 14/15th with us in Roger's Pass almost a year ago, but we weren't able to book the hut. The plan was to camp up in the pass in our trailer which would be a good compromise. As the weekend drew closer however, plans changed yet again. Kyle was going to be away for work with his truck and I was not interested in borrowing a truck to pull the trailer up to the pass on my own. It also hadn't been snowing much in the pass so that plan went out the window. Researching Alberta snow conditions from India, Em and Trev and booked the Rampart Hostel on the Icefields Parkway instead.

Fresh off the plane after a year on the road, Emily and Trevor were ready to ski. We met at a very reasonable time at the petro-can to drive out to the mountains with their friend Scott in tow. On the drive, Emily called her dad to wish him a happy birthday. She hadn't told her parents they were home due to an elaborate plot to surprise Trevor's parents for their 60th birthdays two nights before. Suffering from jet lag and culture shock, the pair was pretty excited to forego real world activities such as unpacking and sleep for a few more days by disappearing into the wilderness.

Views from the road at Crowfoot Glades

 We started off mellow with a few laps in Crowfoot Glades. The snow was better than expected considering the forecast and we enjoyed a few nice turns before the weary travelers leg's started to give out. Naps were enjoyed by all at the hostel before a big dinner Em and Trev had scrounged from Trevor's parents.

Crossing the lake to Crowfoot Glades

Emily and Trevor's first turns of the season

  We had a bigger objective in mind for day 2, Dolomite Circuit (17km, 850m elevation). Looking for more fitness and cardio on their second day on snow, we decided that the circuit was a good option. This route has been on the list for a long time, but it is rare that I would give up a day of powder skiing to go for a long walk. With minimal recent snow and sun in the forecast, conditions were perfect. 

Morning glow heading up to Katherine Lake

 We followed a well established track from 2 km north of the Mosquito Creek Hostel. It was easy going and we didn't really notice how much elevation we were gaining as we skinned through meadows and along a creek. The track started to climb and we broke out into the alpine below Katherine Lake.

Stream crossing

 A few minutes of deliberation had us thinking that we hadn't gone as far as we actually had. For a moment before realizing our mistake, we almost added Cirque Peak into our circuit! Good thing we didn't as that would have been a really big day. We skied the slope above Katherine Lake and ate lunch out of the wind down on the lake. We hadn't seen anyone else all day!

Navigational challenges despite bluebird skies. The team looking towards Cirque Peak that we almost added into our circuit

The impressive Dolomite

Fresh turns!

After the lake, the trail disappeared. We tried to conserve our elevation by contouring right instead of skiing right up the drainage to the col. The flat light played tricks on us but it paid off. Energy was running low as we reached the col and we were happy to be going downhill for a change.

Up the skin track

 The downhill was short lived, and we pushed along through the flats back towards the car. Eventually we threw the skins back on to help us get through the undulating terrain.

Almost at the col

Back at the road after 6 and a half hours of skiing, Trevor hitched a ride back to the car and came to pick us up. Our circuit wasn't a speed record by any means, but it was a wonderful day out with friends in a beautiful place