Mar 11th: Cooler temperatures returned to PLPP Tuesday night. Averaging -10 degrees and with recent fresh snow, the trails west of kananaskis lakes trail are holding up well after the warm temps. Some debris and snow bombs may exist on the trails due to the variety in temperatures.
With abundant snow in December, and a recent refresh, there is a decent snow base in PLPP, especially at higher elevations, however the base is starting to thin in some places at low elevations. With warm daytime temperatures, the freeze thaw cycle has generally returned, with icy conditions existing in the morning, especially in areas that directly face the strong afternoon sun, and then softening when temperatures rise, and the least icy conditions usually found on the most recent grooming.
The ski trails in PLPP were not designed for, nor do they accommodate skate skiing, as there is not room to skate ski without ruining the classic tracks, which are machine set once a week on each trail. For skate skiing, choose one of the many areas in the region that are suited for the activity, such as Mt Shark or the CNC.
Be aware that snowshoe trails crossing over creeks and wet areas could have some open water and thin ice, with risk of breaking through.
Always come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change suddenly throughout the day. You may want to consider bringing hiking poles, micro spikes, toques, gloves and multiple layers.
Annual Road Closures:
Highway #40: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14, from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction.
Closures:
Notes:
Warnings:
Snow Depths:
Highwood Pass: 144cm
Aster Lake: 218 cm
Burstall Pass: 199cm
Mud Lake: 133 cm
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Length | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amos Groomed: Mar 08 Track Set: Mar 08 |
Skiing
|
2.4 km | Open | |
| Blueberry Hill Groomed: Mar 03 Track Set: Mar 03 |
Skiing
|
3.5 km | Open | |
|
Boulton Creek
Groomed only. Groomed: Mar 04 Track Set: Feb 28 |
Skiing
|
2.2 km one-way | Open | |
| Braille Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
2.2 km | Open | |
| Canyon Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
1.7 km one-way | Open | |
| Chester Lake |
Skiing
|
4.6 km one-way | Open | |
| Chester Lake Snowshoe |
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
3.4 km one-way | Open | |
|
Come Along
Northernmost (both directions) and southernmost (N to S) sections trackset for Cookie race on Feb 27, remainder Feb 20th. Groomed: Feb 27 Track Set: Feb 27 |
Skiing
|
2.1 km | Open | |
|
Elk Pass
Trackset from trailhead to Hydroline junction on March 9th. The remainder was trackset March 4th. Groomed: Mar 09 Track Set: Mar 09 |
Skiing
|
5.6 km | Open | |
|
Elk Pass Snowshoe
The Elk Pass Snowshoe Trail starts at the south end of Elk Pass Day Use and parking lot. |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
5.8 km | Open | |
| Elkwood Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
4.1 km | Open | |
|
Fox Creek
Groomed only. Groomed: Mar 04 Track Set: Feb 28 |
Skiing
|
1.6 km | Open | |
| Frost Heave Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
2.5 km | Open | |
| Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Snowshoeing
|
8.1 km | Open | |
| Graupel Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
5.6 km | Open | |
|
High Rockies
Note: Between Nov. 1 and May 1 the trail is closed through the Buller Slide Path due to Highway Avalanche Control. |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use | Open | |
| Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
3.9 km | Open | |
| Hydroline Groomed: Mar 09 Track Set: Mar 09 |
Skiing
|
3.8 km | Open | |
| Lodgepole Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
4.2 km | Open | |
|
Lookout
Always use extra caution on Lookout, especially the steeper South side. Groomed: Mar 09 Track Set: Mar 09 |
Skiing
|
4.9 km | Open | |
| Lower Lake Group Camp Groomed: Feb 28 Track Set: Feb 28 |
Skiing
|
1.3 km | Open | |
| Lower Lake Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | |
| Lynx Groomed: Mar 06 Track Set: Mar 06 |
Skiing
|
1.8 km | Open | |
| Marsh Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
1.3 km | Open | |
|
Meadow
Trackset from Lodgepole junction to Visitor Centre on Mar 10th. The remainder was trackset on March 8th. Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
4.0 km | Open | |
|
Moraine
Groomed only. Groomed: Mar 04 Track Set: Feb 28 |
Skiing
|
3.1 km | Open | |
| Packers Groomed: Feb 28 Track Set: Feb 28 |
Skiing
|
3.1 km | Open | |
| Patterson Groomed: Mar 03 Track Set: Mar 03 |
Skiing
|
0.9 km | Open | |
| Penstock Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
4.5 km | Open | |
|
Pocaterra
Trackset from Packers to Lookout in the early hours of March 1st, and trackset from the Hut to Packers on March 6th. Groomed: Mar 06 Track Set: Mar 06 |
Skiing
|
9.7 km one-way | Open | |
|
Pocaterra Training Grid
Six sets of tracks set. Groomed: Mar 06 Track Set: Feb 06 |
Skiing
|
Open | ||
| Rolly Road Groomed: Mar 06 Track Set: Feb 06 |
Skiing
|
1.7 km | Open | |
|
Rolly Road Training Grid
Six sets of tracks set. Groomed: Feb 26 Track Set: Feb 26 |
Skiing
|
Open | ||
| Sawmill Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
5.1 km | Open | |
| Sinclair Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
1.3 km | Open | |
| Snowdrift Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
8.3 km | Open | |
| South Sawmill Loop |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
2.8 km | Open | |
| Spruce Road Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
0.8 km | Open | |
| Tailwater Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Snowshoeing
|
1.9 km | Open | |
| Torpor Loop |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
6.1 km | Open | |
| Tyrwhitt Groomed: Mar 09 Track Set: Mar 09 |
Skiing
|
5.4 km | Open | |
| Upper Lake Connector Groomed: Feb 25 Track Set: Feb 25 |
Skiing
|
0.9 km | Open | |
| Wheeler Groomed: Mar 09 Track Set: Mar 09 |
Skiing
|
4.7 km | Open | |
| Whiskey Jack Groomed: Mar 01 Track Set: Mar 01 |
Skiing
|
4.0 km | Open | |
| William Watson Lodge Access Groomed: Mar 10 Track Set: Mar 10 |
Skiing
|
0.6 km one-way | Open | |
| William Watson Lodge Connector |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
0.7 km | Open | |
| Wintour Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
5.1km/10.2km return | Open | |
| Woolley Groomed: Mar 08 Track Set: Mar 08 |
Skiing
|
2.1 km | Open |