Jan 22nd: Grooming began under clear skies, turning to a light snowfall late Wednesday evening. At the end of grooming just before midnight, less than 1 cm of new snow had accumulated. It's been a week since the last snowfall and daytime temperatures were well above freezing for much of last week, transforming the snow to ice as temperatures dropped. Expect trails to be quite icy, with less icy conditions on the more recent grooming. Temperatures are expected to stay below freezing in the coming days, so conditions will improve as more grooming occurs.
The recent warm weather and high winds has led to drifting in areas, as well as "snow bombs" and other tree debris and downed trees are likely on the trails. Trees have been removed during most recent grooming shifts, but continue to fall. On Jan 5th, snowmobile packing took place across the marsh on Lodgepole close to Pocaterra Hut, but the snowcat is not yet able to groom this sections due to thin ice existing on the marsh area.
With abundant December snow, there is a decent base for this time of year in PLPP, but some early season hazards exist, mainly at lower elevations, including a few uneven surfaces, and possible water, slush or ice- the ground is much warmer than normal for this time of year. Some moist areas were covered over with snow on Packers and Come Along, but these spots could melt out.
Be aware that snowshoe trails crossing over creeks and wet areas could have some open water and thin ice, with risk of breaking through, until we see colder temperatures.
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: 114 cm
Aster Lake: 170 cm (Jan 13)
Burstall Pass: 153 cm
Mud Lake: 111 cm
| Trail Name | Permitted Activities (Legend) | Length | Status | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amos Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
Skiing
|
2.4 km | Open | |
| Blueberry Hill Groomed: Jan 21 Track Set: Jan 21 |
Skiing
|
3.5 km | Open | |
|
Boulton Creek
Groomed and Trackset from Elk Pass to Fox Creek on Jan 7th, and from Fox Creek to Boulton Bridge on Jan 15th. Track is shallow in sun affected areas. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
2.2 km one-way | Open | |
| Braille Groomed: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
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
The ice or slush south of the Group Camp was covered over with snow, but could reappear. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
2.1 km | Open | |
| Elk Pass Groomed: Jan 21 Track Set: Jan 21 |
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: Jan 07 Track Set: Jan 07 |
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: Jan 21 Track Set: Jan 21 |
Skiing
|
3.8 km | Open | |
|
Lodgepole
Snowcat groomed, except northernmost section close to Pocaterra Hut, where there is thin ice on the marsh below the steep hill- this area was snowmobile packed on Jan 5th. Groomed: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
Skiing
|
4.2 km | Open | |
|
Lookout
Always use extra caution on Lookout, especially the steeper South side. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
4.9 km | Open | |
| Lower Lake Group Camp Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
1.3 km | Open | |
| Lower Lake Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
3.9 km one-way | Open | |
| Lynx Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
1.8 km | Open | |
| Marsh Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
1.3 km | Open | |
|
Meadow
Trackset from Elkwood to the Visitor Centre on Jan 19th. The remainder was trackset on Jan 20th. Groomed: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
Skiing
|
4.0 km | Open | |
|
Moraine
Tracks may be shallow in sun affected areas. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
3.1 km | Open | |
|
Packers
Much improved, with just a few uneven surfaces remaining, and ice or slush is possible as some unfrozen marshy ground exists. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
3.1 km | Open | |
| Patterson Groomed: Jan 21 Track Set: Jan 21 |
Skiing
|
0.9 km | Open | |
| Penstock Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
4.5 km | Open | |
|
Pocaterra
Trackset from Packers to Lookout on Jan 18th, and from the Hut to Packers in the early hours of the 16th. Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
9.7 km one-way | Open | |
|
Pocaterra Training Grid
Six sets of tracks set. Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
Open | ||
| Rolly Road Groomed: Jan 15 Track Set: Jan 15 |
Skiing
|
1.7 km | Open | |
|
Rolly Road Training Grid
Six sets of tracks set. Groomed: Jan 16 Track Set: Jan 16 |
Skiing
|
Open | ||
| Sawmill Loop Snowshoe |
Fat Biking
Hiking (Winter)
Snowshoeing
|
5.1 km | Open | |
| Sinclair Groomed: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
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: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
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: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
5.4 km | Open | |
| Upper Lake Connector Groomed: Jan 21 Track Set: Jan 21 |
Skiing
|
0.9 km | Open | |
|
Wheeler
Use Caution at the North Amos junction as grooming prep has begun for the upcoming Ski For Light race; a section of track was erased. Groomed: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
Skiing
|
4.7 km | Open | |
| Whiskey Jack Groomed: Jan 18 Track Set: Jan 18 |
Skiing
|
4.0 km | Open | |
| William Watson Lodge Access Groomed: Jan 20 Track Set: Jan 20 |
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: Jan 19 Track Set: Jan 19 |
Skiing
|
2.1 km | Open |
