Black and Blue:
Riding the Nakiska Highways
STORY AND PHOTOS BY : Marc Lepage
Welcome to the Carving Capital of Canada! The once famous runs used for Olympic downhill events in 1988, have now become a carver’s paradise. With two perfect mountain ridges, Nakiska Ski Resort offers meticulously groomed trails as wide as wide can be. From the three Magic Carpets and the Bronze Chair area, to skiing tree tops on Bull’s Head, there is a place for everyone here.
For beginners of all ages, the Bronze Chair area is for you. Completely isolated, this all green designated area lets you learn in a speed free zone. This section offers piece of mind, and insures a safe environment to allow a better focus on the basics.
For the eternal intermediate, a crisp and freshly groomed Homesteader first thing in the morning is an unforgettable treat. Repeat as often as needed... Wide, perfectly sloped blue cruisers like these are rare gems in the world of ski resorts. Run after run, this is the perfect place to practice your speed control and edge pressure. Let the warmup begin!
For the expert skier, carver or racer, the terrain accessible off the Gold Chair is matched by few. This 452 meter vertical, all expert terrain will test your skills and keep you coming back for more. Be advised, this lift only serves a mountain side where there is ‘’No easy way down’’.
Whether you want to carve hard or flow though soft gripping bumps, this peak is for you. For the first time guest, I recommend gliding down the Whoop-Up trail while powering you edges, attacking Arrow with confidence and rhythm under the never ending flow of onlookers, and making two trips to the easily accessed but not easily mastered, Monster Glades. Subsequently, a hot dark roast coffee and a slice of lemon raspberry loaf in the main chalet is more than justified.
At Nakiska, a 12 000 meter vertical day can be achieved in a few hours. The effortless skiing on this even surface keeps your legs fresh and speed fast. The liberating effect of these extra wide freeways reduces your normal sense of speed. You can find yourself cruising at 80 in seconds and using the passing lanes to the left. Tune your edges and start accumulating laps… 25 should do it.
In closing, I must give a special mention to the resort’s ski racks. On this, my 68th mountain skied, these original racks from the 1980’s have outclassed all others by a considerable margin. This imaginative and logical design assures that skis, poles and boards stay organized and upright. Bravo to the engineers!
Check your Ail Miles account, get to Calgary and ride the same day. Only 50 minutes from the airport, make Nakiska your first stop and gateway mountain to the Rockies. As we would say in Ontario, Nakiska Ski Resort is ‘’yours to discover’’.
Marc Lepage
Locoski
RSA Member 461-s
January 20016
