My Snowshoeing Favourites, by Andrew Nugara

      I put a pair of snowshoes on my feet for the first time in 2002. At that time, snowshoes for me and my brother, Mark, were just a method of getting to the top of a mountain when it was covered in snow. I had no idea that exploring the mountains with these odd shaped contraptions would eventually lead to writing guidebooks on the subject of snowshoeing.   

My first snowshoeing guidebook, Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies, was published in 2011, by RMB (Rocky Mountain Books). This volume was geared towards intermediate to advanced snowshoeing, with reaching mountain summits as the primary focus. I called it a more of a “Snowshoe Mountaineering” guidebook. Given the book’s deficiency in easier, beginner trips, I immediately wrote A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing in theCanadian Rockies, published one year later. This volume contains shorter trips that are not necessarily to the top of a mountain and none that are in avalanche areas. At present I am in the process of updating and adding to both books. The second editions of each volume should be available by late November of 2016.

Revisiting the snowshoeing guidebooks books has given me the opportunity to reflect on some of my favourite snowshoe trips in the Canadian Rockies. By no means a comprehensive list and in no specific order, here are a few:

 A.    From A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies  

1.      Beyond Buller Pond and the South End of Spray Lake. In both of these trips you actually lose elevation to reach the destination, but it’s so worth it. The huge lake is surrounded by stunning mountains. The wind can clear snow off the ice surface, revealing massive cracks and bubbles in the ice.

2.      Bow Lake. The lake and awesome views are 2 minutes from your car! Tons of terrain to explore around the lake and towards the Wapta Icefield.    

3.      Chester Lake. The snowshoe route to Chester Lake is the busiest in the Canadian Rockies, and for good reason. Although solitude is unlikely here, great snow and fantastic views are. There are also many options to extend this trip, including the amazing Elephant Rocks.  

4.      Cameron Lake. An easy trip to a huge lake, backdropped by stunning Mount Custer.

5.      Rawson Lake. A good workout to a fantastic view of Mount Sarrail towering above the lake.

 B.     From the upcoming A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies, 2^nd Edition

6.      Commonwealth Lake. Another lake, back dropped by another stunning mountain. Going a little past the lake gives you an even more rewarding view.

7.      Marble Canyon. Wow! I didn’t expect much from this very short trip around the canyon and thankfully my expectations were not fulfilled! The scenery is super cool and then you can trek down to the Paint Pots, with the wonderful scenery of the Vermilion River en route.

C.     From Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies 
 
8.      Crystal Ridge (also known as Helen Ridge). Not an excessively long or difficult trip but one that is excessively scenic (if there is such a thing!). Once above the treeline, the views towards Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefield are breath-taking. The extension to the south summit has some of the best ridge and cornice scenery I’ve ever seen.

9.      Commonwealth Ridge. The view from the north summit is excellent, especially toward Commonwealth Peak. Call it a day there or embark on an incredible and exhilarating ridgewalk/scramble to the true summit, where you are treated to an even more remarkable view of the British Military Group.

10.  Big Bend Peak. The valley north of Mount Saskatchewan is without a doubt one of my favourite areas in the Rockies: BIG views and BIG scenery everywhere! And what better way to see all than with an ascent of BIG BEND PEAK. This mountain represents the easiest of the ascents is this area but is still a tough grind up steep terrain. The wicked summit view makes every step worthwhile.

11.  Rawson Ridge. Definitely one of the best viewpoints in Kananaskis. A safer and easier route to the summit will be described in the second edition.   

12.  Smutwood Peak. This is a very serious winter objective but the views, especially towards Mount Birdwood are mind-blowing!

D.    From the upcoming Snowshoeing in the Canadian Rockies, 2^nd Edition

13.  Tent Ridge. I’ve recently visited all the summits of Tent Ridge using a variety of different routes. Each trip has been outstanding, boasting some of the best views in Kananaskis.

14.  Piggyburst Col. The col between Mount Burstall and Piggy Plus is a wonderful viewpoint. Getting there is as rewarding as the view.

15.  Ochre Spring Peak. This is an unnamed peak southwest of Mount Whymper. The summit view is stupendous and with the right snow conditions you can glissade almost 1200 vertical metres! 

16.  Jimmy Junior. Anything within eyeshot of Bow Lake and its surroundings is going to be a winner and Jimmy Junior delivers a knock-out blow! And after the fantastic summit view, glissading down the avalanche gully can be a blast!

 Get out there and enjoy the snow, the scenery, the experience.