Starts and Finishes

Since moving to Revelstoke in 2004, one location has remained a staple for the start and end to my ski seasons, Mt. McCRae.  This modest summit in the Selkirks south of Revelstoke has a high logging road and summer trail leading to the alpine that makes for easy access in the fall.  When the first real dump of the season hits, you can count on the pocket glacier and summer snowpatch giving up the first powder turns of the season.  In the spring, as the snow retreats and access returns, it’s one of the last places to go where you can still ski right to the truck.

Last weekend, Julie, myself, and colleagues, Graham and Greg, headed up for what would likely be the last turns of the year.  A couple weeks of rain had finally broken, and the cool clear night meant the re-freeze was in full effect, conditions were perfect.  With more snow lingering in the alpine than anticipated, we luckily made it to the high cut-block on the north-west shoulder before putting the skis on and starting our way up.  The snow was heavily sun-cupped and would be interesting on the way down.

We made our way up through the well spaced forest, past the alpine lakes (still very frozen) to the pocket glacier and summit ridge.  The ridge made for good bootpacking with the snow still being a bit frozen, and the soaring temps were ideal in transforming the ice into perfect corn for the descent.  The summit is a bit anti-climactic after some of the rock scrambling at the start of the ridge, but the views south down the Columbia river make this extra effort very worth the while.

Perfect spring skiing awaited us.  We were all super excited to be out skiing, and all very surprised at how good the conditions were.  The glacier ski was outstanding and the broken rocks down to the lakes were equally good.  Even skiing through the trees and sun-cupped crap wasn’t that half bad.  Back in town by 2:00 and sitting at La Baguette enjoying some tasty espresso beverages and planning out the rest of the day…life doesn’t get much better.