Cross Country Skiing and Ptarmigans

Location: Burstall Pass, Alberta, CanadaParticipants: Sarah, Mclean Patrick Latter Time: 5 Hours Weather: -3 °C (26.6 °F)

Directions

Drive south from Canmore on Spray Lakes road for about 45km. There will be turn off for ‘Burstall’ and a large parking lot.

Gear

• Cross Country Skis
• Cross Country Boots
• Cross Country Poles
• Food
• Water
• Warm ski jacket
• Warm fleece
• Warm socks (or 2 layers of socks)
• Toque
• Thermal underwear
• Snow-pants or gaiters
• Gloves

Story

I loved the trail we did last week so we decided to do it again but this time on cross country skis instead of snowshoes. The skis made for a much faster/easier trek, especially coming back, as it was mostly downhill.

There weren't to many surprises until we reached the flats and I nearly skied right over one of these guys.

There were 7 ptarmigans following us down the trail and we hadn't even noticed. They would run right along side us, periodically stopping at shrubs to eat.