Global Adventure - Nordic Ski the Canadian Rockies of Lake Louise and Canmore

Trip begins and ends at the Calgary Airport.  Ground transportation to our condos in Canmore is included, as is transportation back to the airport from Deer Lodge (near Lake Louise).   Airport shuttle transportation based on Feb 16 12:35 pm arrival (Alaska Airlines flight 2620) and Feb 23 6:55 pm departure (Alaska Airlines flight 2123).  Transportation to trailheads will be combination of leader-driven rental van and taxis.

Party Size: the party size is initially limited to 6, but could readily expand to 10-12 by allowing people on the waiting list to register.  (The lodging and transportation work best with 6 or 12 people; 8 people doesn't work out).  A decision on the final party size will be made December 12th, at which point those on the waiting list would need to register by Dec 14.

Itinerary Highlights:    Daily skiing distances will be 8-19 miles a day, with elevation gains of 600’-1700.’  Participants are required to have intermediate level skiing skills and be comfortable skiing both on groomed tracks and ungroomed/skier tracked trails.   Participants that need a rest day will be free to stay at our lodging or walk around the village.  Possible highlights are skiing in to a hot lunch at Lake O’Hara Lodge, the beautiful Chester and Emerald Lakes, stunning views of Rocky Mountain peaks, along with the classic scenes around Lake Louise.  Not to mention the world-class grooming at the Canmore Nordic Center, site of the 1988 Olympics.

 Time of Year:   February when snow is reliable

Lodging:   3 nights at 2 condos in Canmore (shared rooms with fully equipped kitchen and rooftop hot tub), 2 nights at the Lake Louise Hostel (private rooms with kitchen access; café on site) and 2 nights at the Deer Lodge (shared rooms, near Lake Louise, with outdoor hot tub)

Food:   One dinner and one breakfast are included, prepared by the leader, and  also a 3 course dinner and restaurant breakfast at Deer Lodge.   No other meals are included.  We can cook our own meals at two of our lodgings and will have access to grocery stores on these days.  Participants are responsible for all lunches.  Meals while staying at the Deer Lodge (other than the included dinner and breakfast) must be purchased.

Leader’s Experience:   Cindy Hoover, a Mountaineer Nordic Ski leader for over 20 years has enjoyed four ski trips to this area and has skied all of the potential trails on this trip.  This will be her 3^rd Nordic Skiing Global Adventure for the Mountaineers.  Former chair of the Seattle Ski Committee, Cindy is also a PSIA certified Nordic Ski teacher for the Seattle Branch.

Participant Requirements:  N3 Intermediate Ski Skills is required, along with considerable  endurance for a couple of longer ski days, with experience and comfort skiing on ungroomed or skier groomed trails. Participants will be required to carry medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance for the trip, at their own expense.

Trip Price Detail:   $1,250 includes all lodging, ground transportation around the immediate areas we’ll be skiing and transportation to and from Calgary airport (If arriving at the identified times), required ski trail passes and four meals.  Does not include any airfare or ground transportation between your home and the start/end points of the trip ($400), most meals ($250),  travel insurance ($75), required medical and emergency evacuation insurance ($75) or incidentals.

Registration Instructions:   Application and leader approval required to register, and the deposit must be paid to hold a spot on the roster.  The deposit is $625, with $625 balance due on Dec 19, 2018.  Registration deadline is Dec 19, 2018.  Note that the party size may be limited to 6, depending on the number of participants registered by mid-December.

application     trip agreement     release

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel because of an emergency, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee.