Add a comment
Print report
Citadel Pass
Report Submitted by Sara M
(trip) Date: Saturday Apr 16, 2022
Submitted: Saturday Apr 16, 2022 at 19:57
Discussion:
Today I enjoyed a lovely ski through the Sunshine Meadows to Citadel Pass. After the long and boring ski up the ski-out, I ducked the boundary rope and followed some very convenient tracks from the day before. These led all the way to Howard Douglas Lake, then struck off in a different direction. I broke trail the remaining distance to the pass, which had a beautiful view over the Assiniboine area. Trailbreaking was easy, with 10-15cm of dense dry snow over a good crust. On my way back, I went to look over the edge of the meadows down into the Simpson River valley, and happened to meet the folks who had created the track I had been following. They spent the night at the Howard Douglas campground and were now wandering about before returning to Sunshine. The snow was much heavier and warmer on the return, but only one short section was properly slushy. Skiing down the ski-out with all the weekend skiers was exciting! V40 and LT skis were the ticket today.
 the fun begins!
 looking down towards Citadel Pass on the left
 getting closer
 View from the pass towards Assiniboine
 the scorched Simpson River valley
3 comment(s) posted
Comments:
2022-04-16 at 21:39 - comment by DEMOCRATIZE AB
Hi Sara,
This has been a trip I have been meaning to do this season but that dang ski out is a little scary to ski up with all the downhillers coming down. It looks like you picked a fine day to hit the boundaries of Assiniboine Park. Thanks for the pics of this fabulous backpacking and skiing area.
If you are looking for a little less powder on top of the crust to perhaps do some skate skiing, I would recommend the Red Deer Valley- perhaps through Merlin Meadows. If you are trigger happy with your camera, perhaps do some shooting of the Natural Bridge. It was nice fast skiing the other day and blasting through the meadows is highly recommended. Plenty of options out there with at least 5 feet of firm base with a few cms of new snow on top. If you have not been to Cyclone Warden Cabin, then I would suggest bringing a really big memory card for your camera to capture the views.
Ski it all up.
2022-04-16 at 22:05 - comment by ulrikeski
Great trip report, Sara. You also picked a great day to see Assiniboine. Sounds like you had a fast trip and returned on the ski out before the lifts closed.
2022-04-17 at 17:18 - comment by Sara M
Democracy - That area is definitely on my list for this spring! Unfortunately it wasn't in the cards this weekend but hopefully later this spring.
|
