Showing posts with label Kananaskis Village. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kananaskis Village. Show all posts

Monday, December 05, 2022

A Family-Fun Winter Guide to Everything Cool at Kananaskis Village

Winter is magical in Kananaskis and there is no shortage of fun to be had at Kananaskis Village.  Staying overnight at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is the dream, but regardless, most of our favourite activities around the village are accessible to day users (including the fancy Nordic Spa at the lodge.)


Winter is magical at Kananaskis Village

Hiking, skating, skiing, and more at Kananaskis Village (Photo: Troll Falls Hike)

Below are our top ten favourite things to do in winter at Kananaskis Village as a day user or as a guest of the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.


1. Go Skiing or Boarding at the Nakiska Ski Area 


Nakiska Resort is a great ski hill and we feel very comfortable here as a family. Not only is it the closest hill to Calgary for day trips, it's also small and easy to navigate. Lift lines are reasonable (especially mid week if the kids have a PD day,) and Kids' World, the beginner learning area with a magic carpet lift, is only $10 per person to use (free for kids under 6.) 

This is where my son learned to ski and we've enjoyed blending a few hours of skiing with an hour at the tube park. When we get tired of the crowds at the hill, we make our way down to Kananaskis Village for a cup of Starbucks coffee in the Lodge and some time spent in front of the fireplace relaxing.

Enjoying a family-friendly ski hill close to Calgary!

Pro tip: Arrive early. We always arrive by 8:30, take a duffel bag of clothing into the lodge, get dressed and ready to go without rushing or stressing, and then we're at the front of the lift line for 9:00. Most people don't even start arriving until 9 or much later, so you'll enjoy a good hour of skiing with no lines or crowds. (And you'll get the fresh corduroy or powder.) 

We also like that you can leave your shoes and a duffel bag inside the lodge on little shelves built under the tables in the cafeteria. There are plenty of hooks too for hanging a small backpack with your lunch, water bottles, etc. Just don't leave anything valuable in your bags and obviously, I'm talking about "small" duffels and backpacks! Don't try to bring in a large hockey bag on wheels!

Read more: 5 Reasons to make Nakiska your Local Ski Hill this Winter 

Nakiska is glorious on a mid-week PD Day with the kids

Nakiska has a great tube park for family fun!


2. Go Skating on the Village Pond


The Village skating pond is always ready to go for the season by Christmas. It is located right beside Kananaskis Outfitters (where you can rent skates should you need) and is a fun little place for kids to skate. 

Skating on the Pond at Kananaskis Village

If you want to play a game of hockey as a family, there is also a larger rink with boards surrounding it back by the sledding hill at the Village.

Also in addition to the skating pond, there are usually large piles of snow surrounding the pond that provide hours of entertainment for young children.

Kids will happily play here all day!

3. Go Sledding on the Village Hill 


There is a small sledding hill at Kananaskis Village tucked back in beside the hockey rink and the playground. Combined with an hour or so on the skating rink, it's a great way to spend half a day at the village.

Note the sledding hill is quite steep (and narrow) so it is perhaps best suited for slightly older children.

Kananaskis Village has a great sledding hill! 

4. Go Cross country skiing on the Village Trails


There are approximately 12 km of trails in the immediate Village area, all groomed and trackset through the winter season. Descend to Ribbon Creek and you have another 20+ km of trails.

Our favourite short loop is the 3 km Terrace Loop which is relatively flat and great for beginner skiers. Once the kids can do this loop, try lengthening it with a climb up Kovach and Aspen to the meadow on the Aspen trail for a 6 km loop. There is a very exciting descent down to the village at the end on the Kovach Trail if you ski the loop counter clockwise.

Easy skiing near Kananaskis Village

For another easy option, try skiing the Bill Milne Trail which is a great family-friendly option free of any large hills as long as you stay close to the highway. The best section with kids goes from Kovach Pond to the Mount Kidd RV Park.

All trails around the Village allow dogs on leash. For skate skiing, the Bill Milne Trail is the only one with a skating lane.

All trails along with recent grooming for both the Village and Ribbon Creek Trails can be seen on the Nordic Pulse website. 

You can also pick up a trail brochure from the Barrier Lake Visitor Centre or download a map here. 

And as you  puzzle over the map above, the arrows indicate where the top of a big hill is. The big part of the arrow is the top. They do not indicate that you need to ski a particular direction.

Beginner-friendly skiing on the Bill Milne Trail

Need to rent skis:

If you need to rent equipment (or just want some suggestions on which trails to ski,) pop into Kananaskis Outfitters. You can also call ahead if you want to book a ski lesson.


Out for a Christmas ski on the Bill Milne Trail

Ski Trails for intermediate/advanced skiers around Ribbon Creek


If you have capable youth who are comfortable with climbing and descending some steep hills, check out the Skogan Pass Trail and the Sunburst Loop to the Hummingbird Plume Lookout site. 

You'll be climbing 600 metres to reach the top of Skogan Pass, so it's a workout, but very exhilarating on the way down! The Sunburst Loop is shorter (with less height gain) so it's a good alternative if you only make it part way up the Skogan Pass Trail before realizing that you've had enough climbing.

Both trails are groomed and trackset throughout the winter. The parking lot for these trails is at Ribbon Creek, just a short drive down the road from the Village. (The link goes to Google Maps.)

Hummingbird Plume Lookout Site on the Sunburst Loop

Skogan Pass is a big climb, but allows for a very fun descent!

Another fun loop I enjoy combines the Hidden, Ribbon Creek, Link, Kovach, and Terrace Trails for an intermediate 8 - 12 km loop (starting either from the Ribbon Creek parking lot or from Kananaskis Village.)

Note with the Ribbon Creek Trail you will be taking the SKI trail and not the snowshoe trail. The ski trail climbs above the creek at the beginning. You'll start out on the Hidden Trail from the Ribbon Creek parking lot until you reach the first junction.

Also, I recommend the Ribbon Creek Trail be climbed from Hidden so that you can enjoy the big hilly section going downhill to the creek with its large S-turns. That would mean you should do the loop counter clockwise. If you start at Kananaskis Village, start out on the Terrace Trail, skiing down to Ribbon Creek.

Ribbon Creek is a beautiful ski trail

A few sections of the Ribbon Creek loop are also shared with hikers.

See the full winter map here (with skiing, hiking, and fat biking trails.)

Dark blue trails are supposed to be skier-only. Light blue trails are shared for skiing, hiking, and fat biking.

Easy skiing along Ribbon Creek on the lower section

5. Go for a Hike to Troll Falls and the Upper Falls 


The hike to Troll Falls has long been a family favourite in the Kananaskis Village area. The hike is short at 3 km round trip and it's a great trail if you want to pull kids in a sled. 

Troll Falls is a great destination for a family hike

Once you reach Troll Falls, you can also follow the signed trail to the Upper Falls where you'll reach an amazing frozen waterfall (Marmot Falls) where you can walk behind the ice. The extension is only another kilometre return.


Marmot Falls is incredible in winter!

For the truly adventurous, keep climbing along Marmot Creek on an easy-to-follow trail until you reach a third waterfall. This one is a double two-tier waterfall and is also very beautiful. The full hike to both waterfalls is no more than 2 km return from Troll Falls.

The true "Upper Falls" above Marmot Falls

You won't need snowshoes for this hike as the trail is always well packed down and easy to walk on. Ice cleats or spikes come in handy though (especially if you want to climb to the Upper Falls.)

Note the Troll Falls trail is a shared trail with skiers, so please stay off of the ski tracks and move to the side if you see skiers coming down a hill towards you.

Read more:


Standing behind frozen Marmot Falls

6. Hike the Multi-Use Trail System around the Village and Ribbon Creek


The Ribbon Creek Trail is a beautiful hike or snowshoe, and kids love all the bridges along the trail. When it's frozen you can sometimes hike in the creek itself as well.

The trail is shared with skiers halfway along so please stay off the ski tracks.

To make a loop from the Ribbon Creek parking lot (Google maps link,) follow the Ribbon Creek Trail until you reach the junction with Link (another shared ski trail.) Return to the parking lot on Link, Shinrin and Studless (winter hiking and fat biking trails.)

Trying to ski down the Ribbon Creek snowshoe trail

The full Ribbon Creek loop is 6 km and all hills are quite gentle. 

Note if you want to use a sled, stick to just the Ribbon Creek Trail and return the same way. Shinrin and Studless are narrow and not suitable for sleds.

See the full winter map here (with skiing, hiking, and fat biking trails.)

Light blue trails are shared for skiing, hiking, and fat biking. Pink trails are for snowshoeing or fat biking (and will be more narrow.)

There are also hiking trails up by the Village, but I think the Ribbon Creek Trail is the prettiest option.

The trail network around Ribbon Creek is great for a family winter hike

7. Sign up for a Guided Evening Stargazing Tour


Kananaskis Outfitters runs daytime snowshoe tours from the Village that are perfect for the whole family. Alternately, sign up for an evening stargazing tour (appropriate for families with youth 12+.) 
"In an open meadow, your group will pause to relax and take in the night sky; you are welcome to bring a camera and tripod to try out some astrophotography or to just hang out with the group, peek through the telescope and chat about astronomy."

Visit the Kananaskis Outfitters website for dates, pricing, and more information.  


Stargazing at Kananaskis Village 

8. Rent Fat Bikes for a Ride around the Village (or join a tour to a frozen waterfall)


You can rent fat bikes from Kananaskis Outfitters in the Village and then head out on the multi-use winter trails for a self-guided adventure. You can even bring your older children because the Outfitters has 24" youth fat bikes available to rent.

Call ahead to reserve your gear so that you don't arrive to find the bikes already signed out for the day.

For trail suggestions, it's best to talk to the Outfitters when you pick up your bikes. 

Family-friendly fat biking around Kananaskis Village

Personally, I like the multi-use Bill Milne Trail (shared with cross-country skiers) which is groomed and blessedly flat once you reach the lower section. From the village, you'll descend ~100 metres of height to reach Ribbon Creek, but after that the trail is perfectly flat. 

Note children may struggle with the climb back up to the Village at the end, so be careful how far you ride on the flat part. Save some energy for the end.

Another easy beginner-friendly outing is to Troll Falls on a mult-use trail (shared with skiers and hikers.) The 3 km round trip trail has a couple of hills but they aren't that big. Unfortunately, this is another one where you'll have to start by riding down to the trailhead on the upper section of the Bill Milne Trail.

Easy riding on the groomed Bill Milne Trail

Join a Guided Tour to Troll Falls: 

Families with strong cyclists 14+ can sign up for a guided tour to Troll Falls. I suspect you'll be starting and ending at the Village, so make sure you have youth who can climb at least 100 metres (which doesn't sound like much, but mountain biking is harder when you add snow to the adventure.)

More information on renting bikes or joining a guided tour can be found on the Kananaskis Outfitters website


Family Fat Bike Adventure to Troll Falls


9. Go For Coffee at the Lodge and Hang out by the Fireplace


No matter where we go play in Kananaskis, we often stop off at the Village on the way home to grab a coffee and hang out by the fireplace in the lodge. 

The large fireside room is magical at Christmas

There's a great café in the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and they serve Starbucks Coffee along with other grab and go items for lunch. My son is partial to their large cookies too.

The lodge is especially magical at Christmas, and we always like looking at the gingerbread house creations.

Every year the lodge creates amazing gingerbread houses or villages

Now THIS is a gingerbread house!

10. Plan a Visit to the Kananaskis Nordic Spa (adults only)


The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is one of my favourite places in all of Kananaskis. I ask for a gift card every Christmas and I love my day trips here. Sometimes I come with a group of girlfriends for a day or else I let me husband tag along and we leave our son behind for this glorious adventure. 

The spa is truly a magical experience and one visit will never be enough.

"Spanning 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space, the Spa features a Relaxation Lodge, five outdoor pools, five steam and sauna cabins, an exfoliation cabin, fireside lounges, massage treatments, and the Two Trees Bistro."

Cameras aren't allowed at the spa so I'd suggest visiting the link above to see a full collection of professional photos.

And note that the spa is not included in stays at the Kananaskis Lodge unless you purchase a special spa package. All guests must also be 18+ (trust me it's at the top of my son's list for birthday gifts when he turns 18!)

Prepared for a magical day at the Nordic Spa

Disclaimer: This story was not paid for or sponsored. All words and opinions are my own.



Wednesday, May 11, 2022

First Summits - Wasootch Peak, Kananaskis

Wasootch Peak is the unofficial name for a small mountain located near Kananaskis Village, and it is not connected to the popular Wasootch Ridge Trail. Wasootch Peak and Wasootch Ridge are different hikes starting from different trailheads.

Wasootch Peak is a fabulous early season training hike in spring and you'll get some serious height training completed on this very steep trail that finishes with a scrambly ending near the summit. Start with Prairie Mountain and a few other more "gradual" hikes before working your way up to Wasootch Peak. 

Wasootch Peak overlooking the Nakiska ski hill 


Stats for the Hike 

Distance:  7.5 km return


Height gain
: 900 metres 


Time it took us to complete the return hike: 
It took us 5.5 hours (3 hours moving - man we take a lot of breaks) with two youth ages 10 and 12.


Best time to do this hike: Wait until late April / Early May to make sure the snow has melted from the trail. Even then it's suggested you bring ice cleats or spikes for any lingering snow.


Rating
: This is an easy scramble. It's more than a hike, but you shouldn't have to use your hands much (or at all.) There's a fairly decent trail the whole time and much of it is just a steep forested path. The only loose gross scree is at the top in the final 100 metres where this hike gets its "scramble" rating. If you don't like scree you won't make it to the summit.


All Trails Link 
Wasootch Peak on All Trails 

Note to download the map, you'll need to have a premium paid subscription. I find it to be worthwhile, even just so I can see how far I am from the summit every time somebody asks "how much further?" 

I also like to download the map so that I know where to park. There is no official parking lot for this one, so at least look at the map on your home computer and then put a pin on Google Maps so you know where to pull off the highway.

The hike gets scramblier the higher you go

Everybody's favourite rock on the Wasootch Peak hike

Finding the Trailhead

Drive out towards Kananaskis Village on Highway 40 and do a U-turn right after you exit the highway for the Village - when it's safe to do so!!

You're going to be turning around here and parking immediately along the side of the road where there will probably be other cars parked. There is space to park so that you're not right on the highway but exercise caution getting your gear out of the car.

You can find the spot to park on Google Maps. 

Looking up at the summit of Wasootch Peak from the creek at the bottom


Segment 1: Hiking up through the forest

Head up from the highway into the trees watching for the empty creek bed that you see in the photo above. The hiking trail is to the left of the creek bed and once you get on it, you can't lose it. It's a very good trail.

The trail is easy to follow, but is relentlessly steep!! I pretty much swore I'd only ever do this hike once (even though I'm now contemplating doing it again for training.)

My best advice: bring candy and fun snacks, take your time, and push on for the more interesting terrain above. Once you get to the easy scrambly terrain, the hiking becomes much more fun on this trail!

The first 2 km will be the worst part for hiking up a "boring trail through the trees."

Hiking up a steep trail through the forest and above to reach the summit of Wasootch Peak

Segment 2: Fun scrambling up mini cliff bands and rock

Finally after the first couple of kilometres the hike starts to get interesting! There are mini cliff bands, there's a bit of easy route finding, and you aren't just plodding up steep dirt.

We were with friends who are still fairly new to scrambling and they had no problems on this section. They were slower coming down, but just take your time.

Easy scrambling up baby cliff bands on the Wasootch Peak Trail

There are lots of good viewpoints where you can stop and catch your breath 

Minimal hands-required scrambling on the Wasootch Peak Trail


Segment 3: All the nasty scree to the summit!

I can handle plodding up a boring trail through the trees and I'm ok with easy fun scrambly terrain, but I draw a line at nasty scree so I did not enjoy the final 100 metres of height gain.

That being said, put your head down, trust your feet, take your time, and try to choose the best line.

I found the trail to be best along the far right side, next to the skyline (even though it dropped off steeply here.) We also tried to stick to the slabs as much as we could because they were beautifully grippy!! 

Our friends called it quits here and waited for us to summit. 

This is what awaits you at the end of the hike!

Our friends made it about half way up the final scree slope

The slabs were gloriously grippy for going up


Reaching the Summit of Wasootch Peak

We finally reached the top of the ridge and then enjoyed a bit of easy scrambling to reach the summit. There was also a very short section of airy ridge traversing before the summit. I'd say that if you don't like heights, you won't enjoy the final section.

Looking down at Highway 40 towards the Nakiska ski hill 

The final ridge walk to the summit is a tad airy

Next time I plan to hang out here a little longer to take in the views

Caution is definitely needed at the summit

Making our way down "Carefully!!" 

Return the same way you came, slowly, and carefully. The rock definitely felt loose coming down the steep scree at the top. Once we got lower down it was easy walking though.

Looking back up at the scrambly terrain below the summit

Slowly and carefully descending the Wasootch Peak Trail 


Recommended Gear and Safety Tips 

  • This is not a beginner hike and children should have previous scrambling experience on steep terrain and loose rock. My son is very experienced and found the hike easy. His friend did not.

  • The final summit ridge is narrow and extreme caution needs to be taken with children here. If you're nervous at all, skip the final walk to the summit and stop once you reach the ridge.

  • Check the weather report carefully before you go and watch the skies while hiking. I wouldn't want to be caught near the summit on this mountain in a storm.

  • Bring light gloves for the descent. They'll protect your hands if you fall and you may appreciate them if you need to use your hands at all on the cliff bands.

  • We didn't feel that helmets were necessary for this hike, but they would be appreciated if somebody took a tumble! We had also chosen a very quiet day mid-week and didn't see anybody else on the trail. Rock fall could be a hazard if you went on a weekend.

  • Long pants are always a good call when scrambling. A thin lightweight long sleeve shirt is recommended too on descent. If you slip on loose rock, you'll be happier if you have a layer of clothing between your skin and the rock.

  • If you're not sure your children are ready for this hike, try it solo without them first. We do a lot of hikes on our own before bringing our son. This was one of the few where my son and I both did the hike for the first time together.

  • Finally, this hike would not be the best choice for a hot summer day. There is no shade on the upper slopes and you're far from any water source.

Wasootch Peak is a great scramble for families with previous experience



Thursday, February 24, 2022

Frozen Waterfalls, a Cave, and A Fun Ice Hike near Kananaskis Village

Last winter my son and I headed out to find a mysterious set of waterfalls known as either Kananaskis Falls or Wasootch Falls depending on who you asked. We followed vague instructions to find the unnamed waterfall, on an unnamed creek in Kananaskis, hiking a trail that doesn't even have a sign. Heck, there isn't even a parking lot for this one!

Our adventure was filled with route finding mistakes resulting in having to retrace our steps, and a few "sketchy" moments. Add that it was -30C and we were tromping around in the woods on a new-to-us trail trying to find a frozen waterfall I could only hope was really out there somewhere!

Frozen Kananaskis Falls are easy to find - if you know where you're going!

Fortunately for you, I now know how to find the waterfall and the hike has since been added to the popular All Trails app. It's also a short hike (2 km round trip according to All Trails.) Bring your ice cleats or micro spikes for this one, and you should have no problems finding the frozen "Kananaskis Falls."

Note this hike is not suitable for young children and I recommend it for families with school aged children or teens who are confident hikers. While it's only a short hike, the trail is rough and there are many steep sections.

Frozen waterfalls and an ice cave behind

It's pretty rare when you can crawl in behind a frozen waterfall!


Where to park for the hike to Kananaskis Falls

The hike is near Kananaskis Village so head south on Highway 40 from Calgary heading for the Village. 

When you get to the turnoff for the village, you're going to turn off the highway, and then do an immediate U-turn (when it's safe,) and you're going to park on the side of the highway almost immediately after doing your U-turn. You need to be heading north to park on the side of the road beside the trailhead.

This is where the All Trails app comes in handy because it shows where the hike starts (even if you don't follow the app while hiking.) - See the trailhead here on All Trails

You'll be following the hiking trail for Wasootch Peak (different from Wasootch Ridge.)

Be a responsible hiker:

  1. Have a backup plan in place in case there are already too many cars parked on the side of the road! Because there is no parking lot, there is only room for ~ 6 vehicles to park by the trailhead. If you see that there is already a large line of cars parked on the side of the road, please consider choosing a different hike.

    So far it has not become a problem with vehicles parking on the side of the road for this hike, but if there are suddenly 50 cars parked here every Saturday, I guarantee you that it will become a problem and vehicles could start to receive tickets.

  2. Do not do a U-turn if there is a car immediately behind you turning off for Kananaskis Village!! Drive into the Ribbon Creek or the Troll Falls parking lot and safely turn around there.

  3. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead so stop at the Casino where there are bathrooms by the Tim Hortons or visit the bathrooms at one of the other nearby trailheads (Troll Falls or Ribbon Creek for example.) You could even pull into the Barrier Lake Visitor Centre. Please do not just duck behind some trees near the trailhead.

  4. This isn't an official trail but I would still recommend your dog be on leash if you choose to bring him/her. Not only is it the smart thing to do for potential wildlife encounters, but other hikers will appreciate not having a strange dog running at them on the trail.

  5. Hike out everything you take with you! Nobody is following you on the trail to clean up after you! This includes your doggie poo bags.

From the highway you'll be following a snow covered creek bed until you reach the forest trail


Hiking up the Wasootch Peak Trail to find the frozen Kananaskis Falls 

You'll be following the trail that you'd take to climb Wasootch Peak. (See it on All Trails at this link.)

You're going to start by hiking up a snowy dry creek bed until you see a trail through the trees on the left side of the creek. Follow the trail for approximately half a kilometre until you see the sign below.

You'll eventually need to drop down into the creek, but do NOT leave the forest trail until AFTER you see the sign (even if the All Trails app tells you that you are off route.) Trust me. Watch for the sign!


The forest trail climbs fairly steeply, but it's easy enough if you have microspikes or ice cleats and good winter boots.

Last year we dropped down into the creek before reaching the sign above and then had to backtrack and retrace our steps when the route through the creek became impassible. There was open water, a small frozen waterfall we'd have to climb to get above, and there were lots of logs blocking our route.

Once you've passed the sign above, look for an easy way to descend down to the creek. We didn't have too much of a problem because we had our microspikes, but I could see a bit of bum scooting being necessary without them. It is a steep descent, but you're not dropping off a cliff. Just make your way down a slope with trees as you drop into the creek.

Once you're down at creek level, it's about another half a kilometre of hiking beside the creek (which might be open in spots) until you see the waterfall (as in the photo below.)

The hiking beside the creek is a bit tricky in spots and this is NOT a hike for preschoolers or young children. Careful footing is required and it'll take you at least an hour to reach the waterfall (even if it is only a kilometre of hiking one way.)

Hiking along the creek to reach Kananaskis Falls


A beautiful waterfall and an ice cave! 


Finally, after what could feel like forever depending on whether you're breaking trail or not, you'll come to the frozen waterfall - which won't look like much at first.

This waterfall isn't much to look at from the outside. You're here for the cave behind the waterfall that will give you the feeling of being inside an ice cave.

The coolest frozen waterfall I've hiked to

Standing behind Kananaskis Falls in the coolest ice cave!

Kids will LOVE this hike to Kananaskis Falls

You're here for the opportunity to crawl behind a frozen ice curtain of blue ice, an experience that is rare to come by.

Hopefully you'll get some time at the waterfall be yourself, but if there are other groups at the falls expect to wait for your turn to get close to the ice.

And please be respectful of other groups waiting their turn to go behind the waterfall. This isn't the place to have your lunch while others wait or to set up a fancy elaborate Instagram shoot when there's a queue forming behind you.  

Blue ice behind Kananaskis Falls

When we did this hike last winter, nobody knew about it, and it was easy to get the cave all to ourselves. This hike is becoming popular though so I recommend going mid-week if you want a quiet experience, or starting early to avoid the crowds.

Kananaskis Falls is a great half-day adventure!

Other activities to do in the area


Since this is a half-day hike, you'll want a few suggestions for other activities to do in the area unless you're only wanting a short outing.

You'll also want some backup plans in case there are already a dozen ore more cars parked along the highway beside the trailhead.

  • Hike Troll Falls and Visit the Upper Falls (where there's another waterfall you can go behind.)

  • Visit Kananaskis Village where there's a sledding hill and skating pond

  • Spend the morning skiing at Nakiska and then hike to Kananaskis Falls in the afternoon

  • Hike the Ribbon Creek Trail (where there are several fun bridges.)