BOU AVENUE
Allison-Chinook Cross-Country Ski Area
On our way home from British Columbia, Zosia Zgolak and I visited Allison-Chinook Cross-Country Ski Area on 5 January 2019.  Located about 7 kilometres northwest of Coleman, Alberta, this somewhat obscure network of cross-country ski trails is maintained by the Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club and offers over 30 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails for all levels of ability.  Access is via Allison Creek Road, and the parking area is about 4 kilometres north of the turnoff from Highway 3.  Given recent warm temperatures in the vicinity, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the snow conditions were on this day.  Zosia and I essentially skied a big counter-clockwise loop which included trails with descriptive names such as Mainline, Camp, Hiking, Cutline and Choker.  Although there were a lot of cars in the parking area, the trails were far from busy, and it felt like Zosia and I had the whole place to ourselves.  As such, this short outing was a most pleasant one for us and a great way to wrap up our week-long, post-Christmas road trip.
The arm needs to be a bit higher, I think... Zosia tries to imitate the skiers on the signs above the map.

I might be inclined to climb this one again in the near future...

Crowsnest Mountain dominates the view northeast of Chinook Lake.  At left is Seven Sisters Mountain.

 

I'm skiing in my downhill ski pants because I forgot to bring my regular cross-country skiing/hiking pants on this trip.

Given recent warm and wet weather in the area, snow conditions are surprisingly good here on this day.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Appropriate name! Zosia climbs a hill along the trail known as "Hiking".
If it only had a heater... Zosia arrives at a shelter in the northwest corner of the trail network.  There is also a convenient toilet behind the shelter.
Look at all the snow stuck to the grip zone of my ski! Sonny relaxes on a bench near the shelter.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
As does the solitude!

The snow-covered trees add to the enchantment of skiing here.
And Zosia loves pickled herrings too! Zosia makes a perfect herringbone pattern as she climbs up a steep hill.
Okay, I'm ready for some downhill action! Sonny is pleased to see some sunshine while skiing along the trail known as "Cutline".

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Can't be a chicken on "Choker"! Zosia enjoys a nice downhill run on the trail known as "Choker".
One of the best-kept secrets of the Crowsnest Pass area! Total Distance:  7.9 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  2 hours 18 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  313 metres

GPX Data