Trail updates
Been skiing in the past day or so? Leave us a comment about which route you used, what the trail was like, and anything that needs attention. You can also leave (or respond to) questions on the Kane Valley Trails or about local weather.
We’ll also use these posts to tell you what’s been groomed, what is scheduled to be groomed, and anything else club members and trail users should know about.
For instructions on how to leave a comment click here.
The grooming of trails in the Kane Valley may be over for the season, but the skiing isn’t. There’s still a substantial base of snow on most trails, and there’s been a couple of light snowfalls in recent days.
That said, the skiing conditions aren’t the greatest. The snow gets sticky very early. The best skiing is before 9 a.m. and you have to keep moving. Today, I skied Raven’s Ridge from P1 and Kane from P2. There was evidence of other skiers recently on both trails. Bravo!
I plan to be out on Thursday, making good on my promise to ski until at least April 1st.
Stay safe and happy skiing.
“It ain’t over till it’s over.” This pithy pronouncement for the ages was first uttered by legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, legendary baseball catcher Yogi Berra, or legendary village idiot Donald Trump?
Don’t unsubscribe yet! There’s still good skiing to be had in the Kane Valley. Skied Kane today from P2 to P5 and back, as well as Matthew’s Loop. Plenty of snow in most places; soft in the sun; a bit harder and faster in shaded areas. A cool wind kept the temperature down.
Still hoping to ski till April’s Fools Day, just13 sleeps away!
Skied Raven’s Ridge through Asp, Neil’s Valley, Gulch and back on Menzies on Saturday. It was soft but pleasantly skiable. Nicer than sticky powder! No bare patches yet, but there was a nice puddle and patch of ice by the rest bench on Menzies. I’m thinking this might have been the last ski of the season for me. Thanks to Ian and Hub for the grooming, great job all season!
Greetings skiers. This is a trail report of sorts for March 14, 2021.
I took a break from raking and burning at home this week and went for a ski today. Glad I did. The snow conditions at 1 p.m. were great: soft, slow, safe and not sticky at all. Skied all of Hill’s Homestead and Kane in my T-shirt. +20 degrees at the homestead itself. Next time, I’m taking my towel, beachball and boombox.
Finally, congratulations to Chris Lepsoe and Byron Robbie for joining Club23 by doing all of the Kane Valley trails this season. There’s still time folks. Enjoy the spring skiing and stay safe.
Greetings skiers. Here is a brief Kane Valley trail report for March 9, 2021.
I found mid to late afternoon was the best time to ski today. Sunny sections of trail were the most pleasant and forgiving; shaded sections remained stubbornly hard, icy and fast. We need some fresh snow. I groomed Vale, Asp, Tilicum, Menzies and Cross-over to try and break up the hard crust. Best skiing: most of Raven’s and Menzies, Kane at the P2 end, Aspen at the P6 end, and on the lakes (says Kate). A shout-out to Murray Banks from Powell River, who was skiing Kane today. He’s on a ski tour of the Interior, with additional stops planned in Princeton (China Ridge), Penticton ( Nickel Plate) and Vernon (Sovereign Lake). Stay safe and happy skiing (if you dare).
Third posting.
Almost forgot. if you decide to ski Menzies from either direction, there will be puddles of water right on the trail at either end of the lake where the sun is the most intense. The rest of the trail beside the lake is marvelous. Also, if you’re doing Gulch, the nasty S-bend downhill between Lunchbox and Harmon junction can/should be avoided by taking my back-country, ungroomed bypass. It’s wonderful. Look for my tracks. Finally, watch for heavy traffic at P3.5 as there looked to be a fishing derby happening today on Chicken Ranch Lake.
Stay safe and happy skiing.
Kane and Matthew’s both have a nice set track to use, but are largely in the shade most of the day, so expect them to be slow to warm up. Be wary of Matthew’s two bigger hills, and the final descent on Kane down to P5. Execute a firm snow plough. I recommend starting at P2 or P3 for these two trails.
Raven’s, Gulch, and Menzies are on the sunny side of the valley, so expect them to warm up earlier. We’re going to groom and track set them Sunday morning, so hopefully that will improve conditions even more. I recommend starting at P1 for these three trails.
Stay safe and happy skiing.
Greetings skiers. Here is a trail report for March 6, 2021.
We’re still having problems posting longer comments, so my narrative today will be broken into two chunks.
I spent six hours skiing a host of trails today, including the popular Kane, Matthew’s Loops, Raven’s Ridge, Gulch and Menzies. Conditions ranged from icy, hard and fast early on (9 a.m. to noon) to safer, softer and slower later (noon to 3 p.m.). Given the weather forecast for the next week to 10 days is going to be very similar (sub-zero nights, above-zero days), I would definitely recommend afternoon skiing for all but the bravest and craziest. More info to come.
Congratulations to ‘La Grande Huit’ of Kate Anderson, Mischelle Pierce, Melanie Murray, Dorothy Molnar, Lorna Latremouille, Cindilla Trent, Kelly Reid and Marilyn Cooke for summitting Harmon today, starting at P3 and finishing at P6. Un grand effort de groupe. Bouleversante!
Let’s hope we don’t get any rain in the next 36 hours and the weekend is a good one for skiing. We’re into bonus time now.
Stay safe and happy skiing!
Thanks for grooming the Harmon trail! There is still lots of snow in the beautiful Kane valley. Spring skiing is so fun! It was a great day, approximately 10k, exercise on the way up, thrills and giggles on the way down!!
A huge thank you to Ian for grooming Harmon for group of appreciative ole gals who have been wanting to ski Harmon for ages It was perfect , the conditions were great and the snow quite fast Lorna did find the missing shovel and we viewed the stuck area
Eight Cakewalkers tackled Harmon today from P3 to P6. Some of us for the first time. The snow alternated between fast, fine and a few sticky spots. Grooming was good. Temps were good. Fun was had and muscles were worked. Great trail and looking forward to trying it with fresh snow and a bit colder weather.
Buenos dias skiers. Here is a trail report for March 3, 2021.
Temperatures were well above forecast today as the Kane Valley reached a high of +10 degrees around 3 p.m. Met up with a couple from Vancouver who were heading out on Raven’s Ridge.
A big shout-out to Vern Latremouille for helping out with the trail grooming today. His vast experience was most appreciated. We groomed and track set Kane, Matthew’s Loops and Aspen. I also groomed the length of Harmon in preparation for a group of ardent skiers tomorrow.
Stay safe, and happy skiing.
Hola skiers. Here is a blustery trail report for March 2, 2021.
Temperature-wise, it was a very good day for skiing in the Kane Valley, as cool winds and overcast skies kept the thermometer below zero. Two more skiers are closing in on Club23. Stay tuned.
I did a comprehensive grooming of the four most frequented trails: Matthew’s Loops, Kane, Raven’s Ridge and Gulch. I also did two passes on Chute. We’re continuing to get a lot of blow-down on Chute and the first part of Raven’s – the unfortunate aftermath of logging in the fall.
Stay safe, and happy skiing.
Salut skiers, and welcome to the first day of March. Here is un petit trail report.
I made a brief visit to the Kane Valley today, and observed several skiers and snowshoers enjoying le beau soleil and mild temperatures. From here on in, every day we can still ski in this veritable paradise is a bonus. The early morning is your best bet. I will be out tomorrow grooming a few of the heavily-used trails, but leaving the others with their light covering of loose snow.
Question: What was the skier doing west of Kane trail? Answer: Chicken Ranch Lake.
Stay safe, and happy skiing.