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 Crisp,
clean air; powdery snow blanketing evergreens, valleys and mountains;
crystal clear nights with stars seemingly close enough to touch.
These sights await backcountry skiers and dog sledders on the
Mountain Shadow Trail.
Although best known for it's
world-class downhill ski resorts in Bankff, Lake Louise and Jasper,
the Alberta Rockies are also home to unique, secluded wilderness
cabins and lodges located amongst the front ranges of the mountains.
These less well-known operations are ideal for nature lovers and
folks looking for a quiet retreat, away from the crowds and lights
of civilization. Here, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog
sledding reign supreme.
Guests can explore on their own or
join an expert instructor and guide to ski on track-set trails or
embark on a true back-country experience on skiis or snowshoes. The
snow-covered trails may only be marked by the wild creatures of our
subalpine valleys.
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The silence
and peaceful solitude of the winter landscape is broken only by the
swish of skiis, or perhaps the twittering of a chikadee, the
rap-a-tap-tap of a woodpecker or the scolding chatter of a disturbed
squirrel.
Dog sledding adventurers can thrill to
the speed and enthusiasm with which the dogs take to the trail.
Guests can drive their own team, accompanied by an experienced musher,
and discover the wonders of travelling snow covered terrain by this
almost-forgotten traditional mode of winter transportation. For the
more daring, try ski-joring: a European sport where a guest straps on
his cross-country skiis and harnesses up to an Alaskan Husky (or 2)
for the ride of a lifetime!
Temperatures in the mountains in late
winter/early spring (February to mid-April) are typically mild (-10 C
to 0 C during the day; -20 to -10 C at night), with only a rare
chance of severly cold weather. Daylight hours are increasing this
time of year, and the sun feels warm on a skiers face. Nights are
typically crystal-clear and with increasing solar flares and
activities forecast for February, March and April, the chance of
seeing a vibrant display of Northern Lights is excellent. The
hauntingly beautiful howls of a Timber Wolf pack can frequently
serenade guests at night.
(This article is contributed by Rocky
Mountain Escape - Editor. For more interesting travel articles,
please visit InfoHub Specialty
Travel Guide)
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