Jan 22nd: Light flurries towards the end of the grooming shift in the South end on Tuesday night, with approximately 1 cm of new snow accumulated by the time grooming finished just before midnight. Approximately 2 to 3 cm of snow fell this past weekend accompanied by high winds which has caused some drifting in some areas. 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 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 possiblility of downed trees from high winds over the last few days. More shovelling 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 Bluberry and the diminishing but not yet flat HRT rollers on the top section of Elk Pass.

Click on the computer icon above to access the Alberta Parks report and information on individual trails

Reported on Jan 22, 2025 at 12:06 AM by Dylan