Dec 2nd: The snowcat was on the trails grooming (no track setting) many low elevation trails on Friday, and while these trails are now much flatter and firmer (and ready for more snow) many hazards exist including some exposed ground or rocks. Snow fell earlier in the week and track setting at higher elevations will be skier packed, with varying amounts of snow having accumulated. View snow levels listed below for updated conditions in different areas of the park.
The snow base is still very thin at low elevations with the packed base well under 10cm's in many places, while some higher elevation locations received over 70cm's in November. Most ski trails will have many early season hazards (more at lower elevations) including uneven surfaces and bumps, rocks, brush, and open water and/or ice, with Packers deserving special mention as it needs the most snow to eliminate the many hazards. Below are the general trail conditions. To see updated ski trail grooming, visit the "Trail Grooming Map" link on this page.
If hiking, expect trails to be covered with fresh snow and deep as elevation increases. Trails will be slippery and may also have patches of ice. Wear appropriate footwear, bring extra layers, a hat, and gloves, and you may want to carry poles and microspikes.
If heading into the backcountry, be aware of avalanche conditions. Skiers/riders and ice climbers should be aware of overhead and early-season hazards. Current conditions can be found at Avalanche Canada.
Annual Road Closures:
Highway #40: CLOSED south of Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction, December 1st - June 14th, inclusive
Closures:
Notes:
Snow Depths:
Dec 3:
Mud Lake: 56 cm
Burstall Pass: 72 cm
Highwood Pass: 71 cm
Snow depths are assessed by Avalanche Canada stations. For most accurate information, please visit avalanche.ca
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Amos
Thin snow coverage with brush and uneven surfaces. Groomed: Dec 02 |
 |
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Blueberry Hill
There will be some bumps and uneven surfaces, exposed brush/ground in areas. Groomed: Nov 29 Track Set: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Boulton Creek
Improved base but still some early season hazards. Groomed: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Braille
Thin snow coverage with bumps and brush. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Canyon Snowshoe
|
  |
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Chester Lake Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing |
|
Come Along
Thin snow coverage with bumps, brush and possible ice. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Elk Pass
Still a thin base, some exposed brush/ground, bumps and uneven surfaces still exist. Groomed: Nov 29 Track Set: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Elk Pass Snowshoe
The Elk Pass Snowshoe Trail starts at the south end of Elk Pass Day Use and parking lot. |
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Elkwood Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Fox Creek
Groomed: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Frost Heave Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Graupel Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
High Rockies
Goat Creek access is closed. |
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hogarth Lakes Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Hydroline
Some uneven surfaces and exposed brush/ground still exist. Groomed: Nov 30 Track Set: Nov 30 |
|
Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lodgepole
Snowcat groomed south of S Sinclair junction; remainder snowmobile rolled on Nov 30. Thin base with bumps and brush. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lookout
Always use extra caution on Lookout, particularly the steep south side. Pretty good base but will be bumpy and uneven. Use caution for open water and/or ice at the creek. Groomed: Nov 30 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Lower Lake Group Camp
Thin snow coverage, open water and ice. |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Lower Lake Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Lynx
Thin snow coverage with uneven surfaces. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Marsh Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Meadow
Snowcat groomed with the exception of the northernmost section, which was roller packed on Nov 24th. Thin base with uneven surfaces and brush. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Moraine
Some early season hazards. Groomed: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Packers
Thin snow at lower elevations- numerous, bumps, uneven surfaces, brush, open water and ice throughout. The top third was snowcat groomed on Nov 30th- from Pocaterra to the bottom of the steepest hill. Use great caution- especially if descending. |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Patterson
Groomed: Nov 29 Track Set: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Penstock Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Pocaterra
Trackset from Packers junction to Lookout junction. The remainder was Snowcat groomed on Dec 2nd. Very thin snow coverage at the bottom increasing with elevation. Some uneven terrain and possible exposed ground. Groomed: Nov 30 Track Set: Nov 30 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Pocaterra Training Grid
Thin snow coverage. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Rolly Road
Thin snow coverage. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Rolly Road Training Grid
Snowmobile packed on Nov. 15th. Thin snow coverage. |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Sawmill Loop Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Sinclair
Thin snow coverage. Roller Packed: Nov 24 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Snowdrift Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
South Sawmill Loop
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Spruce Road
Very thin base with possible exposed pavement. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Tailwater Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Torpor Loop
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Tyrwhitt
Bumpy and uneven with possible open water and/or ice. Groomed: Nov 30 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
|
Upper Lake Connector
Thin snow coverage. Uneven surface and exposed brush/rocks still exist. Groomed: Nov 29 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Wheeler
Thin base. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
Whiskey Jack
Thin snow coverage at the bottom increasing with elevation. Some exposed brush and bumps/uneven terrain. Groomed: Nov 30 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
William Watson Lodge Access
Thin base. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Biking/Cycling,Hiking,Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC |
|
William Watson Lodge Connector
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat Duane |
|
Wintour Snowshoe
|
|
Open | Fat Biking,Hiking,Hiking (Winter),Snowshoeing Fat Biking, Fat Bike, Phat |
|
Woolley
Thin snow coverage with bumps and lots of brush. Groomed: Dec 02 |
|
Open | Skiing Cross Country Skiing, XC Duane |
