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

Itinerary Highlights:   Highlights are skiing across beautiful Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, stunning views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, hilly trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, and the classic scenes around Lake Louise…. not to mention the world-class grooming at the Canmore Nordic Center, site of the 1988 Olympics.  Examples of our day skis include an 8 mile ski across Emerald Lake and it’s alluvial fan; a flat ski but with some rougher ungroomed transitions (up or down 24”-30” required good side stepping skills).   Other days will be 8-9 miles on well-groomed trails but with some long, moderate climbs or shorter steeper hills, requiring confident snow plow skills.

Time of Year:   Winter with variable weather.  Temperatures during the day can vary from -10 (F) to slightly above freezing.  Heavy snows are possible, as are “bluebird” days.  Our decision on each day’s ski (length, difficulty and location) will be determined by the weather and trail conditions.

Lodging:   4 nights condominiums in Canmore (with fully equipped kitchen, 4+ bedrooms & 4.5 baths), 2 nights in a motel in Field (adjacent to Yoho National Park) and 2 nights at a hotel in the Lake Louise Village.  All lodging is in double occupancy rooms.

Food:   Included are one in-house dinner and one breakfast prepared by the leaders, and our farewell dinner at a restaurant.  We can cook our own meals at the condo (4 nights) and will have access to grocery stores on these days.  Participants are responsible for all lunches and other meals.  A bakery and groceries are within walking distance of our Lake Louise village hotel, for assembling your own breakfasts/lunches. There are also a couple of restaurants within walking distance of our Lake Louise hotel, which has an in-house restaurant.   In Field we are staying in the Truffle Pig Lodge, which has a fun pub-like restaurant.

Vegetarian diets can be accommodated, but vegans and gluten-free eaters will not always find compliant options offered.

Leader’s Experience:   Cindy Hoover, a Mountaineer Nordic Ski leader for over 20 years has enjoyed six ski trips to this area and has skied all of the potential trails on this trip.  This will be her 7^th Nordic Skiing Global Adventure for the Mountaineers. 

 Cheri is chair of the Tacoma Branch’s XC Ski Committee and is a XC Ski and Hike Leader.  She lived in Anchorage for many years where she skied on an almost daily basis.   This will be the 4th Adventure she has helped lead, and the second one to this area.

Participant Requirements:   G-XC-3 Intermediate ski skills are recommended, but G-XC-2 (Adv. Beginner) skills are the minimum required.  Those with G-XC 2 skills must also have endurance for several longer ski days (5-6 hours on the trail), experience and comfort skiing on ungroomed or skier-tracked trails, with the ability to ski up and down hills. Strong snow plow and herringbone skills are needed on this trip. Potential participants will be vetted by the leaders by checking activity history, speaking with other trip leaders, and having a conversation with the applicant.  G-XC-2 Skills: 6-10 miles a day, 500-1000 ft gain (moderate, short hills), green & blue trails, steady pace (3+ mph), diagonal stride, herringbone uphill, side-step up and down hill and reliable snowplow turn.

Participants will be required to carry international medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance for the trip, at their own expense. 

Participants must have clothing and experience to stay safe in temperatures that can be very cold (down to -10 degrees).

In keeping with the broader Mountaineers philosophy of personal responsibility for the safety of ourselves and our group members, each person on a Global Adventure is responsible for taking all reasonable measures to keep themselves free of respiratory viruses and to avoid spreading them around the group, by following the procedures described below.  This includes the following expectations: 

• Be up to date on the latest vaccinations and boosters for Covid-19.
• Take precautions before the trip including avoiding indoor crowds and gatherings the week prior to the trip that carry a risk of bringing Covid to the group and masking during all transport to Calgary. 
• During the trip each participant is expected to:
  • carry at least 2 self-tests and test yourself proactively if you begin to experience any symptoms that could indicate a Covid  or other respiratory infection
  • work with your trip leader to isolate in the case of any positive test or significant respiratory virus symptoms, until any fever is gone without medications and until symptoms are declining.  This may include moving to other lodging  (at participant's expense).

NOTE:  Your leader makes most of the arrangements and provides logistics support during the trip, but is NOT a tour guide!  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  

Trip Price Detail:   $2,500 includes all lodging, ground transportation, required ski trail passes and three meals.  Does not include any airfare ($700 w/checked ski bag), most meals ($400), hotel housekeeping tips ($20), and required emergency evacuation insurance ($75-$300).  Trip cancellation insurance is encouraged.

Minimum party size: 8 with maximum of 10 (only feasible if one or more couples participate)

Registration Instructions:   Complete the application at the button below, and notify leader(s).  After receiving leader’s approval, pay the $1250 deposit required to register, with $1250 balance due on Dec 18, 2025.   As soon as you have joined the roster, please complete the Trip Agreement and Release forms at the buttons below.

APPLICATION

TRIP AGREEMENT

RELEASE

Cancellation Policy:   No cancellation refunds are possible unless your spot is back-filled.   If you cancel and your place is back-filled, you may receive a refund less expenses incurred and a $100 administrative fee. 

Trip begins and ends at the Calgary Airport in Alberta.  Ground transportation is included and is based on Feb 14 arrival of Alaska Airlines flight (schedule TBD) and Feb 22 departure on Alaska Airlines flight (schedule TBD).  Ground transportation to the trailheads (and to and from the airport & lodgings) will be via leader-driven rental mini-vans.  Note that those arriving/departing at other times will need to take a shuttle  at their own expense.