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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
in Alberta, Canada
There
are some lovely, easy loops along the Bow River. Take Banff Avenue
to the end of Spray Avenue, or turn left and cross the river. Trails
wind through the whole area. Parks Canada puts out a very informative
booklet on the extensive xc skiing and snowshoeing in Banff National
Park; you can get a copy for a small fee at the Banff Information Center,
224 Banff Ave., 9 AM. to 5 PM.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course Clubhouse offers cross country ski and skate rentals, plus group and private lessons. Maps and information on trails are available at the Clubhouse.
Several sports shops rent snowshoes, ask your lodging concierge. White Mountain Adventures (403-678-4099) is just one of many guide outfits that offers naturalist-guided snowshoe treks, guided backcountry tours and cross-country skiing tours.
The Fairmont
Chateau Lake Louise (403-522-3511, www.fairmont.com) has about 50
km of groomed trails and access to hundreds of miles of backcountry
trails, with stunning views of the lake and mountains. The ungroomed,
well-marked trail to Skoki Lodge, a rustic log cabin (meaning no electricity,
no plumbing, wood-burning stove), begins just above Temple Lodge at
the ski area and heads up the valley and over Boulder Pass, 7 miles
one way. If you're not up for skiing so far into the wilderness, follow
the gentle Shoreline Trail starting in front of The Fairmont Chateau
Lake Louise, an easy mile and a half one way. Skiing on Lake Louise
is not recommended.
A complex 20 km of xc ski trail network called Pipestone Loops starts 4 miles west of the Lake Louise Over-pass on the Trans-Canada Highway. Although all are marked beginner, some are suitable for the intermediate.
The
Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park (www.cd.gov.ab.ca; 403-678-2400)
was developed for the 1988 Winter Olympics with 60 km of terrain for
intermediate and advanced xc skiers. It is groomed for both classic
and skate skiing and there is illuminated night skiing. Lessons and
rental equipment are available at Trails Sports (www.trailsports.ab.ca;
403-678-6764). The day lodge has a large stone fireplace and room to
relax with a cafeteria, lockers, showeres and more. Beautiful views
of Mount Rundle and more. Only 90 minutes from Calgary's airport.
About 25 miles from Lake Louise, just over the border into British Columbia, is Emerald Lake Lodge (403-343-6321 or 800-663-6336). It has a 40 km network of groomed trails with views of the Presidential Range, lodging in comfortable cabins and activities such as skating, snowshoeing and a games room. The lodge has a shuttle to the Lake Louise ski area.
Before setting out on any of the trails, check trail conditions at a park warden's office. Be aware that trail classification is done by healthy Canadians in good shape.
