Jan 29/13 - Snowing and Cold

Hi - just a quick note to let you know this morning is -13 and supposed to go to -19...yikes and it is snowing at the same time...odd but true. We have a couple of cms. Tomorrow is supposed to be -2. Really. Our area may get a significant snowfall out of this temp swing back to -2. I will keep you posted. Cheers -V

Jan 26/13 - Evening update

Reports from the slopes were that there was 5-6 inches of fresh snow up in Limestone and their tracks were getting covered on the way out. A bit of lowered visibility from the snow. Flathead a bit rough again. Tent area was looking great with the new snow as opposed to wind blown. Trails behind us are in really great shape. Pipeline is rough but again - can't groom that so you need to expect that when you go that direction and enjoy the riding areas off the trail. Snow never got that wet as expected and the alpine cooler temps were great for dry snowfall. Only have the log cabin available this up coming weekend. I believe the Fernie Poker run is on this coming weekend - check their website - Fernie Snowmobile Club. Great way to support the club and all their efforts with grooming and the new warm-up chalet and get to know the area! Cheers - V

Jan 26/13 - Another day of snow

Photos don't really show it but it is snowing dry flakes this morning and socked in up top a bit. Yesterday it snowed all day but it was wet snow that melted on the vehicles. There is a crust this morning with about 2cm of fresh snow on top of it. Supposed to keep it up all day and be zero and +1 today with more wet flurries down here and a colder alpine temps around -7 per the South Rockies forecast with 5cm expected up top or more. More flurries expected Tuesday so this weather will likely continue. As I look out the window and while writing this the flakes have increased in size and intensity 10 fold! Not like the photos I am just posting so the day can swing either way for light or heavier snowfall. Either way we will take it. The wind stripped many faces and loaded the wind in pockets and filled the trees. Avy reports are moderate til they can see what is happening with the bonding between the weak layer formed by weeks of little new snow and this new snowfall. Great for our guests - they got fresh groomed trails on the Flathead yesterday and snow daily. Now remember - its not powder out here yet - there is lots of great riding but snow over the hood is going to be in isolated areas til we get more of what we are getting today. Just keeping your expectations in check lol. Oh and a GO AUSTIN GO - to Austin Luhning racing his Timbersled in McCall Idaho this morning! Cheers - V

Jan 25/13 - Snowing up top

Quick update this morning, it is snowing up top but we have only gotten about 1-2cm down here. Supposed to have flurries and temps from +2 to -5 til Sunday. Cheers - V

Jan 24/13 - 5 inches of Snow!

Finally! That 1-3 cm forecasted turned out to be 13cm! (5 inches) of fresh new snow that fell later last night til about 3am. Its a bit wet but there is more in the forecast and its the first significant snow we have had in a while. Like I said before we had lots and it wasn't melting but it was set up. Good to see the cycle mixed up a bit with this snowfall. More "flurries" forecasted for tonight through to Sunday. Temp is -1 and it is supposed to stay between -5 and +2 for the next week. Good snowing weather. Keep doing the snow dance gang! Cheers - V

Jan 23/13 - A few light flurries expected tonight

Well not much to report snow-wise. We have lots, its set up like spring riding and we aren't losing any to melt. Flurries and a few cms are expected tonight and 5-10cm are expected Friday per the avy report with more light flurries happening Sat & Sun. Temps are running -4 to +1 for the next week. Everything close and easy has been ridden on so you have to have that hidden favorite spot, travel a bit further or ride a Timbersled to find fresh stuff. Its out there and in the trees. This is however the perfect time for new mountain riders to come out. You can travel anywhere so you will get to see the tops of terrain that you won't get to in deep powder likely in Feb/Mar. Frustration levels for these new riders decrease when they get to experience the alpine areas in this type of snow with traction and no requirement for a huge tracked mountain sled. Beware of the big dump of snow that if it comes and this layer is hard and subjected to lots of freeze melt cycles will change the avy reports from the low and moderates they are now to considerable over the concern of slab formation. Until then....ride EVERYWHERE! A note - Corbin Vintage Poker Derby is Feb 16 & regular derby the 17th. Cranbrook Poker Derby is Feb 23rd and new this year is THE BETTIES sled rally in Elkford also on the 23rd. There is lots to do those weekends with the Cranbrook and Elkford derbies having a dinner as well as the customary raffles. Support sledding and get to know a new area! Cheers - V

Jan 20/13 - A weekend of Timber Sled Snowbike Heaven

It was a beautiful day to go learn how to ride a Timbersled Snowbike! We had Shawn Luhning and Sheldon and Darcy with us and connected with our guests who were demoing the bikes and they were hooked. (So were we!) Lots of areas to ride have been ridden out or are set up especially if they are close and easy. We haven't gotten any real significant snowfall but as I said the trees are still really really good. We went out 4km from the resort and were up in cut blocks with the sleds but the bikes got to play in even tighter spots with tons of snow untouched and untouchable by sled. The one photo is of Shawn getting me going on my first Timbersled ride! Lots of laughs and lots of fun! Cooper rode all day with Shawn, Sheldon and Darcy and a new group of Timbersled demo/snow checkers in Limestone and he is going to get the Timbersled to put on his 350KTM. He is hooked. I like that he can ride safe areas too and be all over the snow. When things are bad in the avy forecast there are plenty of raging fun areas to ride that are very safe but give you the same adrenaline and challenge factor on snow bike.

Here is Cooper side hilling like it was nothing on the west slope of Limestone on his first full day on a Timbersled. Thank you Shawn! So forecast is -7 to -10 all week with a little bit of snow forecast for Wed maybe and the weekend. We groomed the trail to Corbin and the B Road to towards the Pipeline Staging area. Flathead was groomed but has seen lots of action and is getting rough. You will have to venture into less well known territory, not have a specific destination that you are locked into getting to and find the fun where you get it to get away from set up open areas. Its further down the Flathead - use your curiosity but know the avy forecast which is looking good and take a look around before you make any decisions and you will have a blast poking through hidden meadows and rolling treed areas. About Summer time - we are watching people book a few weekends ahead of time. So if you know you want to come out and when it is is not too early to call me and see if I have it available. Cheers - V!