A couple weeks ago I guided a wonderful group of guests on our Sunshine Summit Explorer Program, the most accessible of our Banff snowshoeing programs. It was a stunning day with a nice mix of blue sky and mist, perfect for atmospheric mountain snowshoeing. I picked up the extended family group of seven up in Banff and we headed up to Sunshine Ski area, 15 minutes further west in Banff National Park. As we drove I facilitated a few get-to-know each other ice breakers about nature and wildlife experiences and we explored the history of skiing in the Canadian Rockies.
Once we arrived at the Sunshine Base area, snowshoes were handed out, and we set up to take the Gondola to the Sunshine Ski Village area. Before boarding gondolas, I framed the history of bulldozer style steel bladed buses that used to take people up to the ski area before the first version of the Sunshine Gondola was built in 1980. Separately safely into individual gondolas by cohort, the trip is 4.6 km with 500m elevation gain by arrival at the ski village.
Next up is a trip up the Standish Chair lift (217 m more elevation gain), and a few of this group weren’t skiers so a safety and procedure explanation was definitely included.
Once on top of Mount Standish with spectacular mountains around us on all sides, it was time to don our snowshoes, learn the basics and start exploring the deep powder from the previous night’s fresh snowfall! This was a group of extended family, both parents and kids, from age 8 to 55 years old. Most of them had never been on snowshoes before; as the guide, I offered a mix of support and playfulness.
With modern snowshoes you can grip with a metal claw underneath to help safely ascend or descend. But the other cool thing is, if you are going down a slope you can lift your toes up on you snowshoes and this way you can slide or “ski” on the tails of your snowshoes – Wahoo we had a blast! And it wasn’t just the three kids that I directed to the rolling hills surrounding the summit, the adults were game too. However, I will note, it is possible they fell down more – Bob’s your uncle on that!
While touring and playing in the snow, we crossed the border back and forth into British Columbia, had snowshoe races, slid and jumped off some little hills and ridgelines into powder and even had a snowball fight. Interspersed between the adventurous moments, we did some animal tracking, talked about the amazing animals that live under the snow and the variety of creatures that who hunt them. We also explored the question of what would have been the equivalent of our summer and winter highways if we went back in Canada’s time to when there were only indigenous people and fur traders on this sometimes harsh and beautiful landscape. Every tour I lead is different and adapted to the comfort and interest level of the participants. On this tour, with four adults and two brothers and a sister, the questions and excitement came fast and furious, so it was an inspiring day for all.
Back in Banff by mid-day, the family said they had felt safe and supported (both Covid-wise and throughout the tour) and because of that, one person conquered her fear of heights, they all had their first winter “backcountry” experience, they learned the new skill of shoe shoeing as well as loads about winter adaptations and the Canadian Rockies. And had the most memorable fun of their winter so far. Are you ready to see what you will experience, learn and get inspired by on a winter adventure with White Mountain Adventures? Check our banff snowshoeing program. Looking forward to snowshoeing with you soon!
Alex Mowat
Guide
White Mountain Adventures