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BANFF – Climbing, swimming and crawling his way through a soup of frozen slush, frostbite is at hand, help is hours away and the horizon is nothing but ice-clogged sea in Karl Bushby’s eyes.

At this point, in 2006, the British adventurer is eight years into his Goliath Expedition, a mission to walk around the entire world, but here, in the frigid grip of the Bering Strait – one of three “gaps” to cross during the trek — the journey seems to hang by a thread.

“The ice in there never settles. It's always broken. It's always a mass crush freight train of moving ice that's going in all directions driven by strong currents and winds,” says Bushby of the 80-plus kilometre choke point that connects Alaska to Russia’s easternmost point.”

“It’s a constant struggle.”

KANANASKIS – Kananaskis Country has about five million visitors a year, making it the busiest provincial parks region in Alberta and a key location for how the province’s new Plan for Parks will take shape on the ground.

Released on Jan. 28x, the plan sets out Alberta’s long-term direction for managing provincial parks as visitation continues to rise.

“The plan is very focused on people and human use, and that’s great because people use parks,” said Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi.

“But parks are also created – the majority of parks in our system are created – to protect ecological attributes of some kind.”

The plan identifies four goals for the provincial parks system, including managing visitation with a dual mandate of conservation and recreation, conserving natural and cultural values, expanding nature-based experiences, and strengthening long-term management.

While the plan applies province-wide, many of its challenges are already visible

Refunds will be paid in Calgary Ski Club (CSC) points only. No cash, eTransfer, or credit card refunds.

Procedure to cancel your registration for an event:

a) Before the cancellation cutoff date, log in to the website and use the "Cancel Registration" button on the event. If it is a paid event, you will be refunded in CSC points. An automated email will be sent to the Event Host informing them of your decision to cancel.

b) After the cancellation cutoff date, notify the Event Host. A refund may be provided using CSC points but only if the event is full and someone fills your spot. If your spot has not been filled, no refund will be provided, and your spot will be held for you. If your spot is filled, the Event Host will cancel your registration, and you will receive a refund in CSC points.

We left Friday night and had spolumbos. Arrived at the the Grizz Inn around 8:00 p.m.. Checked in and had a little social in the hotel. Beer, wine and cheese plates with meats was provided. Continental breakfast at the Grizz and rode the bus up Saturday morning. Mountain rode hard in the morning with off piste challenging. Started to snow a couple hours before the lifts closed and the mountain started to ride a little softer.

We had a great fresh Chinese buffet Saturday night and some did a fun pub crawl In the rain. Woke up Sunday to 30 cm fresh (pics enclosed) and the whole village of Revy and surrounding area was there for first tracks. While the lifelines were impressive the mountain rode great all day!

Everyone happily made the bus and the local pizza was great! The drive home was only delayed an hour due to an accident. The many riders wishing for the highway to close were disappointed when we resumed our journey.

The Cascade Fire Road remains one of Banff National Park’s most beloved ski trails. Consistently groomed and following the gentle grade of an old fire road, it doesn’t take much snow to become beautifully skiable.

Seventeen cross‑country skiers took part in the outing, splitting naturally into two groups. The faster skiers were led by Poul and almost made their way all the way to Stoney Creek at the end of the trail, while the rest, led by Lori, enjoyed a relaxed lunch at the riverside picnic area just beyond the bridge.

We left Calgary in a brisk –15 °C, but by the time we reached the trailhead the temperature had risen to –5 °C and eventually warmed to a spring‑like +5 °C. Under a brilliant sun and a deep blue sky, the conditions were ideal for a mid‑winter ski.

After wrapping up the day on the snow, a few of us continued on to the Georgetown Pub in Canmore to warm up with some well‑earned hot drinks and good company.

Thank you to all that attended!

As for most of December, Banff and Lake Louise was warmer than Calgary when seven cross country skiers decided to head out. We changed our destination from Moraine Lake Road to Spray River to Goat Creek in Banff as the trail report indicated newly set tracks. And did we get lucky. Not only were the conditions great, we were the first ones to ski on the newly set tracks that morning.

The temperature was fantastic. It was -20 in Calgary, but only -13 in Banff when we started, and it had warmed up to -3 when we finished. It made waxing really easy! After the ski we stopped for a coffee and some social interaction. Thanks to Ricardo for bringing chocolates for everyone 😊 Thanks to all participants for coming out enjoying the wonderful day in the snow!