Mount Norquay Ski Resort

BOU AVENUE
Mount Norquay Ski Resort

With a so-so weather forecast and marginal ski conditions, I convinced Zosia to go skiing at Mount Norquay Ski Resort on 27 April 2024. Of course, the resort operations were already finished for the season, but after a quick inquiry, I was surprised to learn that there are no restrictions for off-season public access to the ski area. Starting from the south end of the resort's parking lot (51.20040, -115.59561), we skied along a snow bank to the main base area before veering uphill under the Cascade chairlift. We then followed snowmobile tracks to the top of the Spirit chairlift where we surprised a maintenance worker who we thought was maybe sleeping inside the chairlift control booth since he was so dead quiet. Leaving the worker in peace, we skied partly back the way we came and then down to the bottom of the Spirit chairlift. As expected, the snow was wet and heavy making ski turns a bit of a chore.

Going past the Spirit chairlift, Zosia and I continued to descend to the bottom of the Mystic Express chairlift where we took a short break to re-attach our climbing skins. While we were doing this, a couple more maintenance workers came by to work on the chairlift, but they paid no attention to us. When we resumed climbing, we followed the northern boundary of the ski resort all the way up to the top of the Mystic Express chairlift where we took an extended break inside a vacant ski patrol hut. As before, the ski descent was more work than it should have been, but we ultimately descended back to the bottom of the Spirit chairlift none the worse for wear. Disinclined to skin up for another run, we basically shuffled uphill back to the main base area and out to the parking lot to conclude our ski tour.

Despite some forgettable skiing on this day, I am not opposed to returning in the future after the end of the ski season to have another go at some of the long and steep runs at Mount Norquay Ski Resort.

	A Columbian ground squirrel pokes its head out of a hole near Cascade Ponds. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia skis along the length of the parking lot at Mount Norquay Ski Resort.
	Zosia follows a snowmobile track underneath the Cascade chairlift.
	Zosia continues to follow the snowmobile track up the ski run known as "Shooting Star".
	Zosia arrives at the top of the Spirit chairlift. Note the snowmobile next to the chairlift control booth.
	Sonny goofs around in front of the ski patrol hut at the top of the Spirit chairlift. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia makes some big turns down "Shooting Star".
	Sonny finds the snow a bit heavy as he descends "Constellation". Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia passes the bottom of the Mystic Express chairlift.
	Zosia climbs up "Monods Legacy" along the northern boundary of the ski resort.
	The ascent becomes steeper as Zosia approaches the east face of Mount Norquay.
	Sonny arrives at the top of the Mystic Express chairlift. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	A vacant ski patrol hut near the top of the Mystic Express chairlift makes a convenient spot for lunch.
	The hut is spacious enough for a game of hockey. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The hut's windows grant a nice view of Cascade Mountain.
	Sonny and Zosia pose on the porch of the ski patrol hut.
	Zosia descends "Crosby's Run".

She's an artist!

Zosia leaves a nice pattern as she skis down the slope.

	Sonny continues to work hard making turns in the heavy wet snow. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia shuffles back to the main base area below "Lone Pine" which is looking rather thin on snow.
	A sheep lingers on the side of Mount Norquay Scenic Drive. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Round-Trip Time: 4 hours 49 minutes Net Elevation Gain: 328 metres GPX Data* * Descent track from Mystic Express Hut not recorded