BOU AVENUE
Hidden Bowl Ski
On 22 February 2015, I accompanied Aga Sokolowska for a trip into Hidden Bowl behind the Lake Louise ski area of Alberta's Banff National Park.  Starting from the Fish Creek trailhead, we skinned up the ski-out trail using AT ski gear, and it was not long before I felt some discomfort in my boots.  By the time we reached Temple Lodge, I had a couple of sizeable blisters developing on the insides of both my heels.  I patched up the blisters as best as I could, and we both continued up the trail which eventually leads to the Halfway Hut near the entrance to Hidden Bowl.  Between my lack of conditioning and my ill-fitting boots, I had a tough time keeping up with Aga who was skiing effortlessly and with seemingly boundless energy.  We took an extended lunch break at the Halfway Hut before continuing up into Hidden Bowl.  We eventually turned around at the top of a low ridge granting nice views of the surrounding landscape.  Although Aga could have continued skiing for several more hours in the open terrain of Hidden Bowl, she was well aware of my struggles and kindly spared me from further suffering.  We took our skins off and got in a few downhill turns before settling into a mostly gentle descent back to Temple Lodge.  Being the adventurous person that she is, Aga suggested that we forego the main trail, and she led us through untracked powder in and around the creek which drains the valley.  The few slightly uphill sections that we encountered on our way out proved to be bit more challenging without our skins, but once we regained the ski-out, the glorious downhill run to the parking lot more than made up for all the sweating and cursing (mostly from me!).  Despite all my tribulations, I still enjoyed this outing because of the fine weather, the outstanding scenery, and, most of all, the excellent company.
In contrast, I felt tempted to call it a day here and have a burger and beer! Aga is eager to get going again after a quick break at Temple Lodge.
Matthew Hobbs was dragging his poor dog up Heather Ridge right around this time! Aga turns off the main trail and heads toward the Halfway Hut which is barely visible at left in the trees.  On the skyline from L to R are Mount Richardson, Pika Peak, unnamed, and Ptarmigan Peak.
It's supposedly haunted! Near the entrance to Hidden Bowl, the Halfway Hut is a nice place to have lunch.

Photo courtesy of Aga Sokolowska
Aga isn't afraid to bushwhack while skiing too! Aga follows some old ski tracks into Hidden Bowl.
Aga was still going strong and probably could have skied all the way to the top of Mount Richardson! The trees begin to thin out as Aga climbs higher.  At right is Mount Richardson.
Breathtakingly beautiful! The open slopes of Richardson Ridge invite further exploration.
Hidden Lake is actually almost 'hidden' in this photo! Pika Peak (left) and Ptarmigan Peak (right) tower over frozen Hidden Lake.
It's all downhill from here, right? Aga gets ready to ski back down the slope she just came up.

I always get this one mixed up with Mount Douglas!

Mount St. Bride stands out in the distance to the east.

I need to see a custom boot-fitter! Sonny is still smiling despite having blisters on his heels.

Photo courtesy of Aga Sokolowska
Aga really likes the look of Redoubt Mountain; I think she wants to climb it! Tracks in the snow signify the passage of some unknown animal.  Redoubt Mountain dominates the background.
Aga actually seems to enjoy breaking trail! Aga breaks trail on the return trip.
Hard to believe, but there's still a surprising amount of uphill bashing on the way out from here! The mountains surrounding Moraine Lake are always a welcome sight on the way out of this valley.

Photo courtesy of Aga Sokolowska