Sunday, December 28, 2014

Dec 28/14 - Photos from the trail

Hey Gang,  Bev, Clint and Crystal said the meadows off McClatchie were deep enough and fun.  Rain Gauge was socked in for visibility.  Trails were in really good shape and the photos are from the kids and Curt and family heading out for the afternoon.  Temp is dropping and is at -12 right now.   It has stopped snowing down here but it is still low visibility up top.  We are all nestled in by the fire with rum, turkey buns, home made soup, Brett picking away at the guitar and a game of pool constantly on the go.  Wonderful evenings with family out here is the best.  Always good energy here at the Summit.  Cheers -V




Dec 28/14 - Snowing Again But Getting Cold


Good Morning Sledders!

Snowing last night lightly - only a few cms but this morning looks like we will get the full 5cm or more than forecasted.  But temps are -5 headed to -20's by tomorrow.  Supposed to keep snowing until then and then a few days of cold -teens temps and sun and then back into the snow flurries and low -teens again for the weekend.

Crytal, Bev and Clint headed out this morning and we will get an excellent report from them (The Betties) when they return so I should have some more info for you tonight.

Beware the new snow - we have about 80cm average total and about 30cms of that is fairly new snow since Christmas.  Watch wind loaded slopes and terrain traps until this all settles a bit.

I have the Divide cabin open Jan 5th  through the next two weeks and I have the Flathead cabin open Jan 12th - 18th if you are looking to hit the new snow! Cheers and fun riding! - V

Friday, December 26, 2014

Dec 26/14 - 3cm and lightly snowing

Good Morning and Happy Boxing Day!

We have 3cm of snow on the vehicles and ground and it is lightly snowing at -6.  Light snow forecasted over the next few days - just in that 5cm range.  Temps are going to be around -3 also then on Monday the sun comes out and clouds clear and temps drop into -15 to -19 for two days then starts to creep back up into the -6 range again.

My Father-in-law and Uncle were out on the trails and said there was a foot of fresh fluffy snow - you could still feel the bottom of the trail with its few inches of base but that it was a fine trail ride.

Enjoy the Christmas Season! Cheers - V




Thursday, December 25, 2014

Dec 25/14 - Christmas Evening at Summit Creek Cabins

A picture is worth a thousand words.....oh and there's a foot of fresh fluffy snow on the trails :)

Dec 25/14 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone,
We had a bit more snow last night - about 5cm. More snow in the forecast for Saturday.
Beautiful sunny but cool day (-8) out today - perfect for sledding.  Safe travels everyone.
Cheers,
Verlee








Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Dec 24/14 - 15cm New Snow Down Here

Merry Christmas Sledders!

15cm of new snow just down here at 4600ft so I am sure there is double that up in the alpine.  Snow is medium weight - not wet but its not going to blow away either.  Watch your avalanche rating - it is high now.  Get the new app for your phone from www.avalanche.ca.  Its -2 and going to +1 and supposed to keep snowing all day. It is socked in foggy up top - actually around 5000ft.

Happy 18th Anniversary to Curtis (and Me) - still the Man 'O' My Dreams.

Merry Christmas Summit Creek Cabins followers and happy sledding! Cheers - V

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Dec 23/14 - Snowfall Warning Elk Valley & Crowsnest - Snowing

Good Evening!

Its started Snowing!  And we have a Snowfall warning for Elk Valley and Crowsnest amongst other areas like Pincher/Waterton.  It is zero out right now and we are supposed to get 15-20cm of snow over tonight and tomorrow.  Temps will be at zero and then cool off with a front from the north to -5 and then -9 by Sunday with more snow in the forecast.  They are saying driving conditions will be very compromised so proceed with caution if you are out on the roads.

The guys tuned up all the sleds (vintages and new) and we are ready!  Curt has the groomer ready to go as soon as we have enough snow...they were out today and the trail was getting thin.  Still not an issue to head out on them but ripping it up on them would dislodge some rocks.  Not after this snowfall!  Will be fun for our guests leaving from here.

Up top is supposed to get 30cm (1 foot) out of this storm BUT....avalanches will be easily triggered with the new snow load atop the old crust...give it a few days to bond and always test out the snowpack at lower altitudes so you are making decisions based on the most relative and current snow conditions.  Everyone goes home gang. That is the rule.

Curt and I are celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary tomorrow and likely won't be around to answer the phones - I will post snow photos in the morning and maybe some in the evening if we get out.

Cheers and Merry Christmas! - Verlee




Sunday, December 21, 2014

Dec 21/14 - 3cm of Snow down here


Morning,
So last night did not bring us much down here ...3cm on the flat...and it is wet wet wet.  But temps are supposed to start decreasing slightly and that is all we need.  It is still snowing up top a bit and I usually easily double what we get down here and that is what has likely fallen as a minimum up top.  So still no powder for anyone with wild expectations, but we are slowly adding to our base and the trails will be fine to ride as long as they don't see a ton of sledders just yet.  Its +1 and if it gets a bit cooler we may see a little skiff more of snow today.  More snow in the forecast for Christmas.

Just a heads up, my Feb is booking up like mad so if you have dates you want to inquire about - better call now because you might have to pick another destination or new dates in Jan or Mar to stay with us.

P.S. - great Christmas stocking stuffers are Lithium Batteries for your beacon....;)

Cheers - V

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Dec 20/14 - Snowing


Evening Gang,
Well I didn't post because not much was changing. We didn't get the flurries and it was snowing a bit up top but not much but I guess it has accumulated to a foot of new snow over the past few days up top.  Not much new down here. No real rain - a bit drizzling but that was snow and drizzle so not much of either to really change the landscape either way.  I have had a ton of calls re snow conditions.  SOOOOO... okay its snowing tonight.  Just started.  We are supposed to get 5-10cm which will make a difference for sure at the lower altitudes and trails.

With this amount going for a RIP on the trail will still dislodge rocks here and there on the parts washed out by flood but at the higher altitudes it will be significantly better riding.  Still if you adjust your expectations to "spring riding" then you will likely be very pleased with what you find in pockets out there. Note that a ton of people chomping at the bit will be out in all the usual places so that will be ridden out.

The girls at the Gear Hub in Fernie said they were getting rained on around that 5500ft mark but above that in Curry Bowl they were having some decent softer runs.  The same will be found with sledding.  We didn't get the rain down here but temps have been warmer and that sets up the snow a bit.  Think of it as building base :)

We are supposed to get "flurries" for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I am not going to get excited until they give me an anticipated amount of snowfall.  I will post some morning photos so you can see what fell overnight.

Cheers - V

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Dec 13/14 - Snowing! Wet but Steady

Morning Gang!  Well I was concerned but the weatherman was right!  It started raining last night about 9pm with just drizzling but none the less rain and then at about 10 it stopped and all was calm.  I woke up at 7am and it was snowing straight down.  Still doing it and actually picking up intensity and getting lighter as our temp just dropped from zero to -1 in the last hour.  Its socked in up top.  Yahooo.  We are supposed to get snow all day and all night then its supposed to be partial sun with temps hovering in that +2 to -1.  Temps will be -8 ish at night so that will preserve snow also.

One note - beware of wet slides.  The weight of the new wet snow on the old snow will take a few days to bond.  I would stick to treed areas and stay off steeper slopes.  Be careful of stumps etc - we are still building base.  Otherwise - enjoy! Cheers - V

Friday, December 12, 2014

Dec 12/14 - Rain, Warm Temps and Snow tonight & Tomorrow

Morning Gang, it rained here two nights ago significantly for about 4hrs middle of the night and then it started up again yesterday evening but then it quit before we went to bed.  Snow still surviving all of it in the banks we pushed from the 2nd & 3rd of Dec but the roads are clear.  I still have snow in the trees  and on the sled trail - photos from yesterday/day before, have not changed - you could ride our trail but at this point I would suggest that you trailer to staging areas then ride in.  Save yourself any unnecessary trail riding at lower elevations.

Its +6 but feels cooler this morning. Cloudy patches and supposed to wet flurries/snow this evening and tomorrow anywhere from 5-10cm.  This could make a HUGE difference.  Its snowed up top a few times this week but I haven't been up there or heard from anyone as to the conditions.  I would be telling guys to hold off another week BUT with the snow forecasted for Saturday you MIGHT miss out on a fun first ride.

 So for the expectation bar.....if you think Spring Riding conditions...gonna likely get wet, going to have some icy or thin spots on the trail in, creeks will be open and maybe some wet or set up snow up top then you will be on target to still enjoy your ride.  As our friend Elvis said - "are guys made of sugar?" -meaning you won't melt - get out there and ride it all regardless lol you might ride through the rain and find good snow up top.  There won't be powder so get that out of your mind right now.  Temps are supposed to hit -2 on Sat with snow and then go to sunny &  -5 mid next week and then hover around that zero point.

So you decide what you want to do.....I won't hold you off because its at the tipping point and Saturday may be the snow that allows you to get your first ride in.  Hate to deny anyone that chance.  Cheers - V

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Dec 10/14 - Warm temps Snow in forecast



Hi gang - don't want to scare you but I wanted everyone to see for themselves what the weather has been doing over the past 24hrs.  We were supposed to get rain but it only drizzled a bit for an hour this morning.  All the while it was socked in up top snowing.  It was supposed to get to +10 but it only got to +8 and not for long.  I had the yard sanded so its had a big helping hand to look melted but it was a sheet of ice so I wanted to get rid of that before more snow came.

It is supposed to be getting cooler (+4 ish) daily on both sides of the Continental Divide til Saturday when it is supposed to go to -3 and -1 all weekend and snow on Saturday (again on both sides).  As you can see the snow is still rideable from our gate and it only gets better the higher you go.  We are at 4600ft and Corbin staging is at 5000ft and the difference is noticeable for snow quality and temp.  The Flathead is rough as we cannot groom it yet but the bowls will be fine.   Basically spring type riding.  Feels good to have miles logged on my sled already and the locals are riding.  So don't be shocked by low elevations- if we get 10cm on Sat it will be a very different photo.

Info from Tim at Over the Top Rentals in Calgary is that Golden is still getting snow and tons of people are headed that way.  Revy had great snow but has had 3 days of rain - not sure how that translates for snowpack there but he said he would likely give Revy some time to recover.  I would be on the watch here for wet slab movement on steep slopes if we get a bunch of snow Sat.  Temp swings make for bad playground manners with different snow types.

I am not fussed about the weather at this altitude.  I know there is about 3ft of snow as you go above 55-6000ft and that is where I would be riding anyway.   So judge for yourself and don't be afraid to call.  Cheers -V

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Dec 7/14 - Photos of Yesterday in Rain Gauge

Curt and I headed out yesterday and rode with the Corbin Country Club crew.  Our trail had a good enough amount of snow on it that you could float here and there - in the well treed stretches and not always at higher elevation.  On two stretches where the flood damaged the trail we encountered rocks.  We kept an easy pace.  The ditch ride to Corbin was fine - we went up and around the creek.  The first couple of kms of the Flathead was icy here and there but a truck had been up it and the tracks had frozen but again that was a small stretch. You didn't have to go far and you were floating on the sides.  It spit on us a bit at that 5000ft mark but above 5500ft it was snowing a bit.  Rain Gauge had more snow than expected with spots where you could sink to your hips and others where you sunk to your knee.  No bottom but this warmer weather today will help it form a good base.  There were pinwheels so watch for wet slabs over the next week or so and if we happen to get a storm (not forecasted) then give it a few days to play nice with the snow it now covers - the added weight on the wrong degree slope could force it to give way - just a mental note.

We went into both bowls and got stuck, had it to the pin climbing up to get to spots and encountered very few stumps or rocks BUT we also knew where to venture and where to hold off.  We were boon docking in some areas going up to the back bowl to the south but once up in the bowl visibility was very low and it was really windy and snow pack was hardened up and thinner.  In the trees it was perfect.

Curt and Cooper went out today to do some trail maintenance and prepare the creek crossings for the Timbersleds.

Had guys in two cabins this weekend and the Flathead is booked for next weekend.  Its supposed to snow Monday and Saturday with periods of rain and fog in between.  The temps on both sides of the Divide are going to be in the +6 to +9 range mid week.  As temps drop a bit on the weekend I would expect to see snow up top regardless of what it is doing down here.  (In that last photo - that is our trail near the Corbin Hwy and all the foot prints belong to our pack of wolves that live out behind us).  I am going to enjoy every day of sledding I can this year - Cheers! -V






Friday, December 5, 2014

Dec 5/14 - 3cm new snow - Guys in the Cabins

Evening Crew - Curt and Coop switched out the tires for tracks on the Commander and the sleds are prepped and ready to go tomorrow.  We got 3cm of new snow down here today - likely a little more up top.  Picking up Mo & Terry and going out on the trails.  Cooper and his friends David and Ian got Sommer's 1970 SnoCruiser "Lois" running smooth.  Track kits coming from Saskatoon with updates so they won't be switched over til Christmas.

Our Flathead and Divide are rented this weekend.  Summit Log is still open.  After this weekend, the cabins are all available until the 22nd and then we only have the Log cabin available the 28th til the 5th.  January has openings but February is filling up very fast.

I held you guys off but if you want to come before Christmas, give me a call - remember two night rentals only.  We will get some photos posted after the ride tomorrow.  Check out the photos from friends in the areas around us on our facebook page for Summit Creek Cabins.

Watch what you are riding - the snow after a storm is very unstable even early in the season.  A big one came down Middle Kootenay Pass per a friend and the sledders were VERY lucky to survive it.  I heard Cook City had one too.  So get your lithium batteries in your beacons, practice and check you gear and keep your eyes open.  Its going to be a good year - everyone rides, everyone goes home.  Cheers - V.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Nov 30/14 - Cold Day after a big Dump





Finally got photos uploaded! Boondocking tracks all over the yard. Temp -32 this morning, -26 now going to -8 Monday and to -1 and snowing Friday. Call now to book cabins! 


Saturday, November 29, 2014

Nov 29/14 - 60cm (2ft) of Fresh Snow!

Well now I am really frustrated. Can't show you the photos.  Go to Summit Creek Cabins on Facebook - I have them posted there.

So you know that I don't say "its all good" when I don't think the snow is worth vacation days or dollars.  I held everyone that called (even Tim at Over the Top Rentals) off on the Thurs/Fri - posting photos of the trail and weather reports so you could decide if your expectations would be met or not - even recommended other places.  Now?  Well the roads are relatively safe (not closed or covered with fresh ice and no visibility) and we have gotten 2 ft or 60cm of FRESH SNOW and although it started out as grauple it is now VERY NICE fluffy boondocking on the trail kind of snow but still with a bit of weight that will form up to a base soon enough.  We had a power outage and our yard now has 6ft banks from having the yard pushed out - huge relief - thank you.

The cabins are available.  Typically they are empty until the snow is good enough  - well - if you want to come now I will make it happen - even give you a discount as its first big snow for us and riding off the trail would be hazardous.  If you want to break in a new sled on the trail - see if you can get anywhere off trail (I caution you - there is no base) then call me and book a cabin.  I will hold you off no longer! Cheers and Happy Sledding! V

Friday, November 28, 2014

Nov 28/14 - Winter Storm Warning - Sparwood/Crowsnest

Well my phone still won't upload photos.  Go to Environment Canada and look up Sparwood BC and Crowsnest AB for the storm warnings and forecast.  It has been raining here at our place for the past 36hrs and while on the phone with Tim at Over the Top Rentals 5 mins ago it switched in an instant to snow.  We are supposed to get 30cm over the next 24hrs but it will be blowing and temps dropping to -19/-22 tonight.

If you are local then going out and finding the snow that is in Elkford, Morrisey etc would be okay but if you have to drive this area...I just don't think its going to be worth going out this weekend to this area due to roads, weather & temps, and snow conditions.  If you want to drive somewhere - Golden just got dumped on.  I would head there and save the exploration here for next weekend when we have gotten snow, temps are -1 and roads will be taken care of and not with 50km winds and flurries.  Avoid Black Friday US border traffic and  hunters trying to get there last weekend of hunting in too.

There will be photos of guys riding here but they live less than 30 mins from whatever they are riding likely.  Temps are dropping fast here.  Anyway - hope you find what you are looking for this weekend - I will get my photos working.  Curt will post on Summit Creek Cabins facebook whatever I send him.  We will get you some trail info for out back of our place later this week.  Cheers and drive safely - V

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Nov 27/14 - Rain here all night and day but snow in Elkford!

Hey crew! - my phone won't upload photos - Damn it.  Curt has them on his facebook - Curt put them on Summit Creek Cabins Facebook.  It has rained all night and day here but snowing just above us but not getting the snow like Fernie and Elkford have gotten.  Callen & Tyler and a few others were out today at ELKFORD and it looked deep and sticky but fun!  Going into the deep freeze Saturday so if you are going out - put your long underwear on and take a fresh pair of socks!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Nov 26/14 - Quick Evening Update

Just drove to Lethbridge and back tonight and roads were 80-90km/hr going and at 8pm they were 65-75km/hr coming home.  Like a nicely pebbled curling rink sheet of ice.  On the west side of Coleman it was raining lightly all the way to our place.  Seems to have let up now but forecast is for that to continue to rain/snow on and off for the next couple of days.  Likely snowing up top.  Going into major deep freeze on Sat/Sun - check out my earlier post this afternoon.  Take it easy on the roads gang - winter is just getting started. Cheers -V

Nov 26/14 - Snowing lightly




Quick post gang - have had a few calls on getting out on the trails this weekend.  Here are some photos of our trail just about 1000ft up from us and it is still not something I would take a sled out on yet.  3cm so far and still snowing - looking better over the next three days at -2 temps but then it also is supposed to drop to -21 during the day on Sat and -32 at night.  Also ....its the last weekend for hunting and I don't think you will get a warm reception from the many trucks that will be back out on the trail if you roar up on your sled that you cannot go off the trail with because there isn't really enough decent snow.  If you can hold off a weekend I say this is the weekend to hold off.  Can you go on the trail - sure but rocks and overheating will be likely.  K gotta run - my Feb is booking up like mad you guys so call if you have a date in mind!  Cheers - V

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Nov 22/14 - Snowing but Sticky


Morning Gang,
It doesn't really show it in the photos but it is snowing lightly but steadily.  It is however, only about 2cm and it is sticky sticky wet snowman type snow with a bit of grauple (little balls) of snow.  Crowsnest Pass last night around 10pm - 11pm was getting sleet type rain/snow mix but nothing was really sticking to the ground long.  We were getting more snow just that bit higher here but still wet.

Supposed to snow a bit more on the BC side with on and off cloudy and possible snow all week but not a significant amount and hovering in the -2 to +2 range.  Crowsnest/Pincher Creek has a wind warning for this afternoon with winds going up to 100km/hr then dropping to 50km/hr as the temps climb to +6 and then offer up more wet sleet type weather on and off with temps staying in the +3 to +5 range.

Pincher was beautiful last night for their Parade of Lights - warmest one yet.  I was without a toque or gloves around 10pm as it warmed up as the night went on and didn't offer up any precipitation.

Met Merlin and Rhonda Lewis of Skyline SxS Rentals out of Pincher Creek in the parade last night.  They rent out a couple of Polaris sleds and I believe they said a few of Razors in the summer time.  He used to be the dealer in Pincher area and has been riding here for many many years.  Their website is www.skylinesxsrentals.com - check them out.  Now go check out the condition of your belt and maybe pick up a new one just in case so you are ready! Cheers - V

Friday, November 21, 2014

Nov 21/14 - Snow tonight - Cabin booked for Christmas

Morning - oooo its hard waiting isn't it?  We kept our little bit of snow but are supposed to get around 10cm in the Fernie area and under 5cm everywhere else tonight.  Sparwood side is supposed to get snow again tomorrow.  Forecast is for temps to be just around that -1 in the evenings and +1 to +3 in the daylight.  Perfect snowing temps.  Cranbrook gang showed photos of riding the trail with about 15cm on it - don't go off the trail yet! It would hurt.  Kids here are just able to take the old 1970's sleds for a quick tour - not enough snow on the trail for anything else - not for a quality ride anyway.  The Summit Log cabin booked for Christmas from the 22nd to the 28th.  It is still open for New Years. Tim at Over the Top Rentals called and he is getting a bunch of bookings so if you know you have dates you will need to rent a sled for....I advise you give him a call now - 403-829-7533 (SLED). Get doing the snow dance! Cheers - V

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Nov 11/14 - Remembrance Day Light Flurries


Good Morning on this Remembrance Day - we are proud Canadians and so grateful for those who gave their service and came home and those who did not come home - we are so very thankful and for the their sacrifice and for accomplishing their goal which is our freedom today.

I was away in Lethbridge all day and evening but roads were really good actually.  Everyone drove conservatively and visibility was good.  It was really cold though!   Today we have anywhere from 6-15cm of snow, some of it on the level and some moved around from wind.  Temps are supposed to stay in the -20 range for tonight and then lift.  Sun is in the forecast daily with temps now rising to -5 or zero depending on which side of the Divide you are on.   Snowing very lightly today but supposed to pick up a bit tonight with a few more flurries and cms and then drop off with no new snow in the forecast after tonight for the rest of the week.

Have had a few calls on the Summit Cabin over Christmas/New Years time slot.  Nothing booked yet.  Our previous guys would book it from the 22nd to the 27th and then our next group would book from the 27th to the 4th.  First time it has been open in 8 years.

Had some bookings from Saskatchewan today....zacstracs.com will be in the Regina area around Dec 1st for AST (Avalanche Snowmobile Training) - good night of info and training.  Check out their website.  If you are interested in the Timbersleds - Shawn is in Saskatoon and his website is www.timbersled.ca and Rhonda Down of the TheBetties.ca is in the new Thunderstruck 13 video!  The Betties have a ride in Elkford hosted by Rhonda and the girls - it is a lot of fun and a safe environment for any level rider to learn something new, enjoy chewing the fat with other female riders and there are tons of prizes and an excellent meal and dance later that night!  Check it out and put it on your list....oh and you can bring your guy to sled with ya too but its all about you!

Everyone heat up the garages, go through your sled and gear!  Its coming!!! Also the Idaho sled show is on this weekend coming up.  A bunch of guys head down from Cranbrook every year and said it is a blast! Cheers! -V

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Winter Has Arrived!! - Nov 9/14

Its HERE! I said this afternoon, NO MORE RAIN. I had had it with rain. It rained steady all night and most of the day to and from Fernie. We loaded up the horses and went to Bohomolec for 2.5 hrs and when we came out we had 3 cm of snow (alot of grauple) and it had just started to look like it was going to snow when we went into the arena. Jason...Sat was really nice (go figure) - the first sunny day we had had in ages but it poured all night Fri night too. Hope you made it out. So it is about -7 right now and dropping into the icebox. It is supposed to snow about 10-15cm total between Sparwood and Crowsnest reports and Crowsnest is under a Snowfall warning right now. This continues until Tuesday. Wed the sun comes out and without cloud cover the temps drop to -20 as the low and -10 to -16 during the day until Saturday so far. Supposed to warm up a bit by the weekend. BEWARE....the rain made the roads wet before this instant freeze so the roads are slippery and traffic has been slow. No need to dive into winter driving confidence....please think about the rest of us before putting the hammer down with your new winter tires and rushing off to whatever you have to - its now and the spring that people die on the road from going too fast. Time to start checking out avalanche.ca - be in on the info for the first layers so you can grow your understanding and common knowledge as the season progresses. Summit Log cabin still open for Christmas & New Years...I really should keep notes on the people that call for situations like this but this is the first time we have had it open! Quick update...Cooper just drove in and said roads have had a plough on them, they are dry now except for the bridges...they are icy. Good to know. Oh and to all our crew at the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Show this weekend....you are killing me...looks like you are having a great time and rubbing it in is a real bummer! Wish we were there - Cheers Everyone...V

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Christmas & New Years Cabin Rental Available!

Hi Gang - Rare opportunity....our guests that stay yearly are unable to come this year and so the Summit Log cabin has opened up over Christmas and New Years! I don't ever keep anyone's numbers that are interested because we have never in 8 YEARS had an opening so here is your opportunity! I will only consider stays of 4 days or more and would prefer to book it for both Christmas and New Years to one group but we will see what kind of interest we have. On other news....it has been raining here on and off - when it doesn't it is really nice out! We have had a total of three significant snows but that is melted below 6000-6500ft. There would be lots of places where the water puddles are full. Have a group staying to quad for the next few days and usually we don't have anyone book in November. Corbin news - this is the last year for the parking lot at the staging area...thank you to George and Terry and the other members of the Corbin Country Club for getting us one more year. There has been lots of discussion about how to handle parking next winter but no real solutions have come up as we do not have someone living there full time to keep a parking lot cleared of snow further in down the Flathead or the money for a bridge to access it a different way. Riding from your cabin here is going to become a lot more important when accessing that area. Wheeler Creek off the Coal Leach road, to Coal Mountain at the end of the Corbin highway is going to ramp up heavily over the next three years with more haul trucks - Leach road access to the pipeline will still be open. That is also accessible from the cabins here. So that is the info so far....get your avy courses lined up for the season, check your equipment, buy lithium batteries for everything and have extra on hand, get the avalanche.ca app and check out the new website and organization and do a few of the online courses under "trip planning", get your sled into the garage and all tuned up, hit the sled show in Saskatoon this weekend - be ready to enjoy the winter! Cheers - V

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Oct 2/14 - A little Snow with +20 48hrs away

Howdy, rain in the wee morning hours turned to snow as forecasted. So I will completely believe that also as forecasted its supposed to be +20 all weekend! Sky is clearing (as it shows in the photo) and snow is already melting. It will be a fresh ride this weekend if you are out. Our cabins are open this weekend but we only have the Divide for next weekend and then we are booked til the 25th. November is our gap month. We tend not to have anyone for the month. We do a bunch of deep cleaning, repairs and maintenance and get ready for winter. So if it catches your fancy that you need a cabin in Nov - don't worry - we don't usually need much notice. Its kinda a month off for us from cabin rentals. I have been sitting on news about Corbin staging area and its not very good but talks were still going on so I decided to wait and give it a bit of time until more details are straightened out and then I will give you the facts that are up to date in time for sled season. Fair? Good. Until then - have fun at sled shows and out hunting and getting ready for the next season or livin' it up by extending the wheeled season! Cheers - V