Pincher Creek (AB), Canada – The most common form of a rhombus is of course referred to as a diamond, and Castle Mountain is a diamond in so many forms. Unlike the ski resorts located inside the National Parks of Alberta, Castle is instead in a remote narrow valley well south of Calgary and approaching … Continue reading Castle Mountain: A Hidden Rhombus →

Banff (AB), Canada – Mount Norquay is not at all what it seems. You look at the trail map and the ski area looks kind of small. You read the stats and see only 190 acres of terrain. I am here to tell you that all of it is just an illusion. This place skis … Continue reading Mount Norquay: The Local’s Hideaway →

Lake Louise (AB), Canada – There are only a few truly huge ski resorts in North America, and Lake Louise is a member of that select crowd. It spans the front south-facing and back north-facing sides of a large mountain as well as a decent portion of a second mountain. Somewhat uniquely, in spite of … Continue reading Lake Louise: The Canadian Rockies Alp →

Banff (AB), Canada – Banff. Most folks have heard of it, but it’s also true that the vast majority of people visit here in summer. This makes Banff a good choice for a winter destination during the Canadian Rockies resort town’s relatively slow season. Of all the places to stay in the National Parks of … Continue reading Banff: Heart of the Canadian Rockies →

Jasper (AB), Canada – With its location within a National Park, Jasper has a distinct lack of unused mansions in town and a distinct abundance of snowy, jagged peaks surrounding it. And while Marmot basin is a 20-minute drive from town, the commute is actually quite easy as shuttle buses ferry visitors to the slopes … Continue reading Marmot Basin and Jasper: Growing Into Its Own →

“And in a Big Country, dreams stay with you” Edmonton (AB), Canada – It’s already the fourth day of my trip to Alberta, and as we drive down the Icefields Parkway through a nearly unimaginable landscape of rugged beauty, my traveling companion is telling me about some crazy dreams he’s been having. The story, in … Continue reading Skiing Alberta →