Highwood Ski

BOU AVENUE
Highwood Ski

Zosia Zgolak and I both took a day off work on 22 November 2016 and went to Highwood Pass in Alberta's Kananaskis Country to practice some All-Terrain (AT) skiing. We first headed up the trail to Ptarmigan Cirque but lost it about halfway through the trees. We still managed to muddle our way up to tree line and eventually climbed up to a rock outcrop above which there was not enough snow to continue skiing. We took a break at the rock outcrop and played with our shovels and avalanche probes before skiing back down. Although we found the trail again in the trees, it was much too steep and narrow for our skiing abilities, and we simply picked up our skis and walked down. We put our skis back on near the bottom but had to take them off again when we returned to the highway.

After crossing to the west side of the highway, we extended the outing by skiing into Highwood Meadows. Unfortunately, we followed the tracks of some other skiers who took a somewhat questionable route around the north end of Highwood Ridge. This entailed a fair bit of bushwhacking and log-hopping--not ideal terrain for skiing! After what seemed like an eternity, we finally stumbled into a creek bed and followed it up to Highwood Meadows. Unfortunately, we did not have time to go up any of the bowls, and we instead headed back over the north end of Highwood Ridge. We took a higher line for our return, but while Zosia found the correct access route, I became separated from her and ended up climbing much higher than I needed to. As a result, I had to ski down some rather tricky terrain which entailed some more bushwhacking. In the meantime, Zosia had efficiently made her way back to the trailhead, but noticing that I was not there, she turned around and came back to look for me. By some stroke of luck, we managed to reunite in the forest not too far from the trailhead, and after getting a well-deserved mild scolding from Zosia, I followed her out none the worse for wear.

Route-finding troubles (mostly mine) aside, Zosia and I still had a fun day practicing AT skiing in the Highwood Pass area. At the very least, it beat having to stand in a classroom or sit in an office all day!

A few bushes sticking out still but not bad for early season. Zosia starts off along the trail north of the parking lot at Highwood Pass.

It's a good thing that Zosia's skis are so light! Zosia boot packs up a slope that is a little too steep and a little thin on snow for skinning.

Does anybody ever ski that east facing slope? This is looking across the valley toward Highwood Ridge.

Now we're getting somewhere! Zosia climbs up an open slope.

We won't be skiing that today...or probably any day for that matter! Ahead is the southwest outlier of Mount Rae.

I think Zosia has the skinning thing mastered now! Zosia makes her way up to a rock outcrop--the high point of the day (2460 metres).

Let's build a snowman! Zosia tries out her new shovel by digging a snow pit.

I think the snow is holding up well! Zosia performs a compression test on the snow.

It's not a summit, but it feels just as good! Zosia and Sonny display their skis and avalanche probes in front of Ptarmigan Cirque.

Zosia's first downhill run on her AT skis! Yay! Zosia carefully avoids some bare patches on her way down.

Yep, I got the snowplow technique perfected! Sonny makes a few turns on the slope.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

We should have skinned back up for a few more runs... Zosia is starting to get the hang of AT skiing.

The forest is a bit too thick and steep for my skiing ability! Sonny decides to carry his skis down Ptarmigan Cirque trail through the trees.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Those darn trees always get in the way! Even the lower sections of Ptarmigan Cirque trail can be challenging to ski.

Someone skied here, but this is not a good route to get into Highwood Meadows! Zosia follows some ski tracks through thick forest en route to Highwood Meadows.

How did we get here?? This steep embankment is a little awkward to descend.

I think I've had enough for the day! Sonny skis up a creek toward Highwood Meadows.
Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly would aptly describe the skiing on this day! Total Distance: 7.9 kilometres
Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 26 minutes
Net Elevation Gain to High Point: 266 metres

	Zosia starts off along the trail north of the parking lot at Highwood Pass.
	Zosia boot packs up a slope that is a little too steep and a little thin on snow for skinning.
	This is looking across the valley toward Highwood Ridge.
	Zosia climbs up an open slope.
	Ahead is the southwest outlier of Mount Rae.
	Zosia makes her way up to a rock outcrop--the high point of the day (2460 metres).
	Zosia tries out her new shovel by digging a snow pit.
	Zosia performs a compression test on the snow.
	Zosia and Sonny display their skis and avalanche probes in front of Ptarmigan Cirque.
	Zosia carefully avoids some bare patches on her way down.
	Sonny makes a few turns on the slope. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia is starting to get the hang of AT skiing.
	Sonny decides to carry his skis down Ptarmigan Cirque trail through the trees. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Even the lower sections of Ptarmigan Cirque trail can be challenging to ski.
	Zosia follows some ski tracks through thick forest en route to Highwood Meadows.
	This steep embankment is a little awkward to descend.
	Sonny skis up a creek toward Highwood Meadows. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Total Distance: 7.9 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 5 hours 26 minutes Net Elevation Gain to High Point: 266 metres