Using This Ski Guide

This guide is biased towards those with a fair amount of off-trail hiking or mountaineering experience, and who wish to begin ski-touring. It is not intended for novices. The novice ski area (Manning, Cypress, Seymour, Alta Lake areas) are adequately documented by the Parks Branch. None of the trips described here have groomed trails, first aid posts, warming huts or are patrolled, nor are they suitable for light racing skis/clothing. Severe conditions can be encountered on nearly all of the routes listed in the guide.

The guide consists of route maps (need to put in link) and a brief text describing various aspects of the route. Some maps may indicate more than one route. The text is broken into subsections; a description of each subsection is given here as a protocol for future contributions.

Rating- Subjective level competence required to reach the destination assuming good conditions. There are four ratings:

• Novice- No ski experience necessary, common sense is adequate. Marked routes or roads.

• Beginner- Some experience is helpful. Unmarked routes, but easy terrain.

• Intermediate- Prior skiing and route finding experience is required. Skiing with a full pack.

• Advanced- Difficult route finding and steep slopes. Group members should be self sufficient. Avalanche hazard may involve considerable skill and training.

Technical Description- Brief description of nature of the trip using a limited number of key words.

Distance- Most approaches are on logging or mining roads. The total distance is divided by two to provide an average one way approach distance.

Time- Time is broken down in a similar manner. Obviously the time on the road depends on how far up you have driven. Trail breaking is assumed to be light and the time quoted is a minum. The times are for 'up' only. Return times are often considerably less.

Elevation- The 'start' elevation at which one begins skiing. This is variable, but the minimum is given. 'High Pt.' is the elevation of the named destination. Occasionally the elevations of other local features or destinations are given. These elevations, coupled with a knowledge of the freezing level, will help to determine the likely snow conditions.

Map No.- Reference number for relevant topographic map(s).

Access- A brief description of road access and parking problems.

Route Description- A brief description of the major features/difficulties of the route

Hazards- Indicates potential danger on the trail, usually from avalanches. There is always avalanche hazard on a slope covered in snow. However, this is only mentioned where it is liked to be above average.

Maps- The maps in this guide only indicate the location of the route relative to a few topographic features. They are not a substitute for a topographic maps. The scale is usually 1:50000 with a contour interval of 500' or 1000'. The average declination is 22 degrees East, but the exact declination can be calculated from (http://geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/apps/mdcal_e.php).