Kananaskis Country

Alberta Parks

Peter Lougheed

Updated: April 28, 2025

Updated: April 28, 2025 | Print Report

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.

    April 21st: Periods of snow fell on Sunday, but shrunk quickly in the warm daytime temperatures, and when the grooming started Sunday night only a cm or so was on most of Saturday night's grooming.  Snow started again around the same time as the grooming and kept up for most of the shift, heavy at times, and very light snow was falling in the South end as the grooming wrapped up for the season.  Less than 5cm's of snow fell during the grooming at Elk Pass trailhead, a little mo Jump to Redirect group re at higher elevations.  The base stayed quite moist under the new snow, and there is likely to be some icy spots early Monday, depending on temperatures and new snow amounts.  Grooming is now finished for the season in PLPP and at Mt Shark. 

    Intense Spring sunshine and warm daytime temperatures over the last few weeks have drastically affected the snow base, especially at lower elevations. All (or at least most) trails north of and including Whiskey Jack, as well as Boulton and Moraine, now have some bare spots, and some higher elevation sun exposed areas are not far behind. With Spring freeze/thaw conditions present, generally expect icy trails in the morning, softening as daytime temperatures rise. Recent high winds have brought debris on to the trails in places, with the possibility of downed trees. Be bear aware, as there is a possibility of bears on the trails.

    Avalanche hazard is considerable so be sure to check avalanche.ca while planning your day. 

    Snowshoe trails will be partly snow covered, icy in places, with expanding bare spots, especially at lower elevations. 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.

    Check avalanche.ca when planning your day. 

    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.

    Notes:

    • Be aware of avalanche conditions. Current conditions can be found at Avalanche Canada.
    • Practice wildlife safety. Travel in groups, make noise on the trail, and keep pets on leash. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is highly recommended, even in winter.
    • Dogs are not permitted on ski trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
    • Walking, snow-shoeing, and fat biking are not permitted on ski trails.
    • Caution is advised for natural hazards such as downed trees. Please report any downed trees on the trails.
    • Be sure not to overestimate your ability when planning your trip: Humility can be a life saver. Plan for rapidly changing conditions and bring extra clothing.

    Snow Depths:

    Highwood Pass: 115cm

    Burstall Pass: 156cm

    Mud Lake: 92cm

    Aster Lake: 150cm

Live Grooming Report

Maps

Trail Weather

Peter Lougheed
Apr 29 @ 01:35 PM +5 °C

Sunny with cloudy periods

Trail Name Permitted Activities (Legend) Length Status Keywords
Amos Groomed: Apr 13 Track Set: Apr 13 Skiing Skiing 2.4 km Open
Blueberry Hill Groomed: Apr 21 Track Set: Apr 21 Skiing Skiing 3.5 km Open
Boulton Creek

Tracks are shallow in some places. Groomed only from Elk Pass to Fox Creek.

Groomed: Apr 16 Track Set: Apr 09
Skiing Skiing 2.2 km one-way Open
Braille Groomed: Apr 09 Track Set: Apr 09 Skiing Skiing 2.2 km Open
Canyon Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 1.7 km one-way Open
Chester Lake Skiing Skiing 4.6 km one-way Open
Chester Lake Snowshoe Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 3.4 km one-way Open
Come Along

Some bare spots forming.

Groomed: Apr 04 Track Set: Apr 04
Skiing Skiing 2.1 km Open
Elk Pass

Icy sections are present on the hill descending down towards the Fox Creek.

Groomed: Apr 21 Track Set: Apr 21
Fat Biking Fat Biking Skiing 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 Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 5.8 km Open
Elkwood Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 4.1 km Open
Fox Creek

Tracks are shallow in some places. Groomed only from Elk Pass to Boulton.

Groomed: Apr 16 Track Set: Apr 09
Skiing Skiing 1.6 km Open
Frost Heave Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 2.5 km Open
Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 8.1 km Open
Graupel Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing 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 Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use Open
Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 3.9 km Open
Hydroline Groomed: Apr 21 Track Set: Apr 21 Skiing Skiing 3.8 km Open
Lodgepole Groomed: Apr 02 Track Set: Apr 02 Skiing Skiing 4.2 km Open
Lookout

Always use extra caution on Lookout, especially the steeper South side. The South side was not groomed on April 14th due to icy conditions; it was last groomed March 30th.

Groomed: Apr 14 Track Set: Apr 14
Skiing Skiing 4.9 km Open
Lower Lake Group Camp

Some bare spots starting to form.

Groomed: Apr 05 Track Set: Apr 05
Skiing Skiing 1.3 km Open
Lower Lake Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 3.9 km one-way Open
Lynx Groomed: Apr 13 Track Set: Apr 13 Skiing Skiing 1.8 km Open
Marsh Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 1.3 km Open
Meadow

Trackset from Elkwood to the Visitor Centre on April 9th. The remainder was trackset on April 2nd.

Groomed: Apr 09 Track Set: Apr 09
Skiing Skiing 4.0 km Open
Moraine

Bare spots near memorial benches just South of where the ski trail leaves campground loop A.

Groomed: Apr 03 Track Set: Apr 03
Skiing Skiing 3.1 km Open
Packers

A few ice flows forming (below ice crossing caution sign). Bare spots starting to form on sun exposed aspect's.

Groomed: Apr 13 Track Set: Apr 13
Skiing Skiing 3.1 km Open
Patterson Groomed: Apr 20 Track Set: Apr 20 Skiing Skiing 0.9 km Open
Penstock Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 4.5 km Open
Pocaterra

Trackset from Packers to Tyrwitt on April 20th and from Lynx to Packers on April 13th. Many bare spots north of Packers, especially north of Lynx.

Groomed: Apr 20 Track Set: Apr 20
Skiing Skiing 9.7 km one-way Open
Pocaterra Training Grid

Six sets of tracks set.

 

Groomed: Apr 04 Track Set: Apr 04
Skiing Skiing Open
Rolly Road

Some bare spots starting to form.

Groomed: Apr 04 Track Set: Apr 04
Skiing Skiing 1.7 km Open
Rolly Road Training Grid

Six sets of tracks set.

 

Groomed: Apr 04 Track Set: Apr 04
Skiing Skiing Open
Sawmill Loop Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 5.1 km Open
Sinclair

Not fully trackset due to thin snow.

Groomed: Apr 02 Track Set: Apr 02
Skiing Skiing 1.3 km Open
Snowdrift Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 8.3 km Open
South Sawmill Loop Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 2.8 km Open
Spruce Road Groomed: Apr 09 Track Set: Apr 09 Skiing Skiing 0.8 km Open
Tailwater Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 1.9 km Open
Torpor Loop Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 6.1 km Open
Tyrwhitt Groomed: Apr 20 Track Set: Apr 20 Skiing Skiing 5.4 km Open
Upper Lake Connector Groomed: Apr 08 Track Set: Apr 08 Skiing Skiing 0.9 km Open
Wheeler

Trackset North and South of the Amos junctions on April 13th. The remainder was trackset on April 9th and will have quite a few bare spots. Tracks are thin in sun exposed areas.

Groomed: Apr 13 Track Set: Apr 13
Skiing Skiing 4.7 km Open
Whiskey Jack

A number of bare spot's have formed including at the large hill approximately 2.5km from the trailhead(exsposed dirt and rocks).  Whiskey Jack was only groomed to the lower Wheeler junction and some tracks were left out in thin areas. 

Groomed: Apr 19 Track Set: Apr 19
Skiing Skiing 4.0 km Open
William Watson Lodge Access Groomed: Apr 02 Track Set: Apr 02 Skiing Skiing 0.6 km one-way Open
William Watson Lodge Connector Groomed: Mar 12 Track Set: Mar 12 Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 0.7 km Open
Wintour Snowshoe Fat Biking Fat Biking Hiking (Winter) Hiking (Winter) Snowshoeing Snowshoeing 5.1km/10.2km return Open
Woolley Groomed: Apr 09 Track Set: Apr 09 Skiing Skiing 2.1 km Open