Jan 20th: Grooming on Sunday night took place under clear skies with the temperature well into the negative double digits. About 2 to 3 cm's of snow fell from Thursday to Friday night accompanied by high winds. This snow was less than forecast, and certainly less than desired but more grooming has been done at lower elevations. The snowpack is close to a historic low for this time of year, with less than 10 cm's of snow accumulating in January so far, a little more at higher elevations. Many lower elevation trails this season are only partially trackset due to underlying hazards in places.
Though the solid base from a Dec melt has suppressed most exposed rocks and dirt at lower elevations (some is still present) early season natural hazards exist on most trails north of and definitely including Packers. These include bumps and uneven surfaces, exposed brush and possible ice; there is also the possibility of downed trees from high winds over the last few days. More shoveling and snowcat passes left Packers in better shape but it is still rough in few places and as it needs the most snow to eliminate hazards it deserves special mention for the quantity and severity of early season hazards. Late December snow at higher elevations eliminated most hazards south of Packers, though a few still exist such as possible exposed rock at the top of Blueberry and the diminishing but not yet flat HRT rollers on the top section of Elk Pass.
Hiking trails will be covered in snow. Expect high traffic trails to be snow packed. The snow on trails may be crusty, and icy in places.
Snowshoe trails will be snow covered, thin snow base in places. Potential open water or marsh in some areas may exist, as well as brush and other low snow hazards.
A reminder that walking, snowshoeing and pets are not permitted on groomed ski trails.
At anytime come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change throughout the day.
Be aware of closures in the area and check advisories before you go.
Annual Road Closures:
Highway #40: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14, from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction.
Closures:
Notes:
Snow Depths:
Highwood Pass: 62cm
Burstall Pass: 92cm
Mud Lake: 54cm
Aster Lake: 98cm
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Length | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Amos
Mostly trackset but still quite rough in places. Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
|
2.4 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Blueberry Hill
The top 200m is much improved with shovelling but may have some exposed rock at the surface. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
|
3.5 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Boulton Creek
Not fully trackset. Groomed: Jan 10 Track Set: Jan 10 |
|
2.2 km one-way | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Braille
Groomed: Jan 07 Track Set: Jan 07 |
|
2.2 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Canyon Snowshoe
|
 
|
1.7 km one-way | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Chester Lake
|
|
4.6 km one-way | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Chester Lake Snowshoe
|
|
3.4 km one-way | Open | Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing |
|
Come Along
Very thin base and not fully trackset, with a possible ice flow south of Rolly Rd. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
2.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Elk Pass
Still quite thin for the first 800m, the rollers on the steep hill on the top section are not yet flattened. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
|
5.6 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Elkwood Loop Snowshoe
|
|
4.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Fox Creek
Not fully trackset. Groomed: Jan 10 Track Set: Jan 10 |
|
1.6 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Frost Heave Snowshoe
|
|
2.5 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe
|
|
8.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Graupel Snowshoe
|
|
5.6 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
High Rockies
Note: Between Nov. 1 and May 1 the trail is closed through the Buller Slide Path due to Highway Avalanche Control. |
|
63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe
|
|
3.9 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hydroline
Trackset from Lookout to Tyrwhitt on Jan 12th and from Elk pass to Lookout on Jan 15th. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
|
3.8 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lodgepole
Groomed: Jan 07 Track Set: Jan 07 |
|
4.2 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lookout
Always use extra caution on Lookout, especially the steeper South side. Groomed: Jan 13 Track Set: Jan 13 |
|
4.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lower Lake Group Camp
Possible Ice Flow. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
1.3 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Lower Lake Snowshoe
|
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Lynx
Not quite fully trackset. Groomed: Jan 17 Track Set: Jan 17 |
|
1.8 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Marsh Loop Snowshoe
|
|
1.3 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Meadow
Trackset on Jan 19th from Elkwood to the Discovery Center, the remainder groomed on Jan 7th, and still quite bumpy. Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
|
4.0 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Moraine
Not fully trackset. Groomed: Jan 10 Track Set: Jan 10 |
|
3.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Packers
Partially trackset only. Some shoveling was done which helped even out the trail. Needs the most snow of all trails to eliminate hazards and quite rough in places, especially from the top top of the steep hill (below the upper meadows) for about 500m. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
3.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Patterson
Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
|
0.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Penstock Loop Snowshoe
|
|
4.5 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Pocaterra
Packers to Whiskey Jack on Jan 3rd, the remainder Jan 18th. Very thin within a few km's of the Hut (and not fully trackset), improving tremendously with elevation. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
9.7 km one-way | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Pocaterra Training Grid
Four sets of tracks set. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane | |
|
Rolly Road
Not fully trackset. Groomed: Jan 17 Track Set: Jan 17 |
|
1.7 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Rolly Road Training Grid
Some dirt and rocks exposed. Groomed: Dec 24 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC | |
|
Sawmill Loop Snowshoe
|
|
5.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Sinclair
Partially trackset due to many early season hazards Groomed: Jan 06 Track Set: Jan 06 |
|
1.3 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Snowdrift Snowshoe
|
|
8.3 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
South Sawmill Loop
|
|
2.8 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Spruce Road
Groomed: Jan 03 Track Set: Jan 03 |
|
0.8 km | Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Tailwater Snowshoe
|
|
1.9 km | Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Torpor Loop
|
|
6.1 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Tyrwhitt
Groomed: Jan 13 Track Set: Jan 13 |
|
5.4 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Upper Lake Connector
Thin base. Groomed: Jan 08 Track Set: Jan 08 |
|
0.9 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Wheeler
Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
|
4.7 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Whiskey Jack
Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
|
4.0 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
William Watson Lodge Access
Groomed: Jan 03 Track Set: Jan 03 |
|
0.6 km one-way | Open | Biking/Cycling,E-bikes,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC ebike, Electric Bike |
|
William Watson Lodge Connector
|
|
0.7 km | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Wintour Snowshoe
Jan 7th: Thin base, some exposed pavement. |
|
5.1km/10.2km return | Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Woolley
Mostly trackset but still quite bumpy in places. Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
|
2.1 km | Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
