Bragg Creek Ski Trails

WHAT THE SKI TRAILS GROUP DOES:

trail ahead In Feb. of 2007, the GBCTA expanded their mandate to volunteer with K-country staff on trail grooming, maintenance and development on the trails of West Bragg Creek located within Kananaskis Country.

Working in co-ordination with K-Country, GBCTA volunteers groom ski trails when K-Country’s grooming resources are engaged in other activities. This unique partnership is working as a test model that will help to serve as an example of how local trail organizations can compliment the resources of Parks staff.

The Ski Committee uses an Alpine Twin Track ski-doo and a state-of-the art Ginzo groomer. The Ginzo is equipped with snow renovators to allow conditioning of the snowpack, and allows more efficient track setting through automated hydraulics. Five volunteers have received safety certification to operate track setting equipment on the West Bragg Creek trails. Trail maintenance is also done by volunteers to help keep the trails in good condition.

Sustaining funds sought

ski tips Over the past several years, the volunteers have supported the track setting program out of their own pockets. However, to make the program sustainable, the ski committee is reaching out to skiers in Bragg Creek and the Calgary area for on-going support. With the granting of charitable status in 2007, the GBCTA is now able to issue tax receipts for charitable donations. Funds are required to cover servicing and gas costs to operate the ski-doo.

The Ski Committee is asking trail users to make a voluntary donation to help cover their costs. Support the GBCTA with your donation, and receive up-to-date ski-grooming reports via email, within 12 hours of grooming. Find out when and where to ski, and which trails have been groomed. Also be the first to hear about Association events, volunteer opportunities, and trail closures.

Suggested donations are $25 per individual, $50 per family, and $100 corporate. The Ski Committee is also interested in obtaining materials and services from companies that can offer printing services, lumber, brush mowing, and landscaping.

New loop opening in 2007

skier A new trail initiative is on-line for 2007 with the development of a new ski trail, linking Sundog and West Crystal Line trails. The loop was approved by K-Country this past winter, and volunteer efforts are working to open up the old logging road for the 2007/08 winter ski season. A highlight of the intermediate to expert trail is a climb to near the top of a ridge, where views reach far to the north past Cochrane and to Calgary skyline.

Looking down the road, funding and volunteer efforts permitting, the group is working with K-Country to improve signage to minimize user conflicts between horse riders, snowshoers, walkers and skiers. Eventually, the hope is to open up other trails for snowshoe in the winter and mountain biking in the summer. While these initiatives require longer-term planning and approvals, the initial success of the Ski Committee is helping to open the door for further trail improvements.

track setting