"Departing from Calgary, I was optimistic about my first ski day of the year at SkiBig3's Lake Louise. Even though there was no snow in the city, the mountains in the distance were snow-covered, with 15 inches reported to have fallen the week prior. With a sunny day in the forecast and the full 3,250-foot vertical drop available for the first time this season, I was excited to get in my first turns of the season."
"As I drove into the mountains, I noticed the clear sky give way to low clouds covering the peaks of the Rocky Mountains around me. As I pulled into the parking lot, I hoped that the weather inversion had not engulfed the whole mountain. To my relief, the whole upper half of the mountain was clear, and I was treated to the stunning view Lake Louise is known for."
"I spent most of my morning lapping the gondola, which provided a solid 2,414-foot vertical run, which got my legs warmed up for the afternoon. The snow was a little heavy as the temperature hovered just above freezing for most of the day, but this prevented runs from becoming too icy. The second half of the morning, I spent lapping the upper mountain zone via the Top of the World Express and Summit chair."
Early-season skiing at Lake Louise offered strong coverage, with 15 inches already fallen the prior week and the full 3,250-foot vertical drop open. Mountain inversion left lower clouds while the upper half remained clear, providing classic panoramic summit views. Mornings included long gondola laps delivering a 2,414-foot run and upper-mountain laps via Top of the World Express and Summit chair. Snow was a little heavy as temperatures hovered just above freezing, which reduced icy conditions. Afternoon laps on the new Pipestone Express offered wind shelter and access to excellent bowl terrain. A subsequent 30-inch storm opened more terrain.
Read at SnowBrains
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]