Canadian Rockies – Nipika and Canmore

British Columbia and Alberta, CA
Feb. 14-25, Tue-Sat following
Intermediate to Advanced Skiers- Groomed and backcountry trails

This should be a great trip for intermediate skiers.  We will be skiing a mix of groomed and ungroomed ski trails. The trip also includes some excellent skate skiing and mountain views to last a lifetime.

We will carpool from Portland on Tuesday, February 14 and drive to Bonners Ferry, Idaho and stay overnight at the Log Inn, a cute clean motel. We will have dinner in Old Town Bonners Ferry.  Wednesday morning we will drive to the acclaimed Nipiki Mountain Resort in B.C., Canada. This is a resort where we get to step out the door and into our skis to enjoy great, groomed trails all day on Thursday.

On Friday, February 17 we will drive to Canmore with a stop to ski en route.  We will be staying at a nice townhouse until the following Friday, February 24. From Canmore we will ski at the Olympic Nordic Centrer in town, Emerald Lake and Lake Louise, Goat Creek to Banff (with a soak in the hot springs there), and Mt. Shark Nordic Area.  Maybe we will have two days in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Moraine Lake, or take advantage of other options if people want more backcountry and less groomed. There are lots of things to see and do in Canmore and Banff, if you need a rest.

We will plan on cooking-in potluck-style for most dinners. You provide your own breakfasts and lunches and after skiing drinks. We will need to buy some park passes for Banff and the Kananaskis Regional Parks and passes for the Canmore Nordic Center.

You will be required to bring a current passport and proof of vaccination and to have filled out the ArrivCAN webpage before arriving at the border. Tell your credit card company and phone carrier about your travel plans.  Credit cards work fine for just about everything you need.

I will plan on purchasing the groceries and dividing up the cost at the end of the trip.  Bring swimsuits and towels for the Hot Springs or they can be rented.  A thermos for hot tea is very handy, and hand warmers if we have a cold spell.  A day pack for clothing and lunch and liquids.  Winter-rated snow tires are required in Canada on cars!

Have a look at the fun from last year, click here.

Trip limit:  8 participants including trip leaders.
Cost:  $865/member per person.  Includes 9 nights lodging.  Additional expenses include hotel stays in Idaho, park passes, trail passes when necessary, and cost of travel and meals.
Carpool Miles: 1,750 miles roundtrip, including driving to trails on some days.
Trip Leader:  Ken Wenzel, skiwenzel@hotmail.com