To ski or not to ski? There is no question.

Heading up the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper, you will find many popular touring spots. Most notable for early season turns is Parker Ridge. Since the bug has bit, we decided to make the trek from Golden, regardless of the drive ahead. When you are desperate, there is no question of how far you will go to ski. 

Winter driving was in full force as I cruised along on an inch of ice on the Trans Canada Highway. An unfortunate soul in a big truck obviously got driving on a road confused with disco bumper bowling. We past his crumpled vehicle as the lights of emergency vehicles flashed to the beat of the Beegees pumping in my trusty Subaru Loyale of the ’92 vintage.

A long while later we arrive at the Ridge, only to find it closed to skiing. Un-deterred, we parked a little further down the highway and oh-so sneakily made our way back to the up track. Skiing in the Rockies has it’s ups and downs (get it?) but one definite plus is it is damn pretty. Bus loads of our Eastern friends couldn’t be wrong. Skiing was short (5 minutes) but sweet. A quick skin up afforded us a great view. Wind swept ridges tested the durability of my bases but I was rewarded with buttery perfection on the way down.

Was it worth the 5+ hour drive? Yes, even if it’s just for the fact that my life looks that much more rad on Instagram. Am I choked that my entire exhaust fell off somewhere around Lake Louise? No. Four bangers sound sick straight piped.