Head a few kilometres west of Bragg Creek and you will get beautiful views of meadows, rolling hills and the majestic Rocky Mountains. However, to access these incredible vistas one must be a bit creative.
The scenery is available on the trails at the West Bragg Creek Cross-country ski area and Bruce Barker, vice-president of the Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association, said there is 45 kilometres of trail and about 30 kilometres of them are groomed regularly.
The association was formed several years ago when the Alberta government cut back on its maintenance of the trail system. However, rather than fight with the government the folks in Bragg Creek worked with the Province.
“We got involved with (Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation) and there was one local donor who gave us a snowmobile and we have gradually gotten the trails up to standard,” Barker said. “I really think if we want to see skiing continue here this is the kind of partnership we have to look at in the future.”
The association recently purchased Ginzu groomers, which provides state of the art trails. Ginzu groomers were used for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and are pulled behind a snowmobile. Volunteers with the association have received training in grooming from Parks personnel.
The work has paid off as the trail system has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
“It has become quite popular,” Barker said. “Seven or eight years ago, there was hardly anyone here. Now, if the snow is good, they will be parking down the road.”
Full, but not crowded.
The variety of trails allows for skiers to be spread out — and of course, there are no line-ups for chairs alpine skiers have to face. The trails are also well marked. New maps have been installed along the trails and directions are given at major intersections.
There is a trail for any type of skier.
“There are some easier trails for beginners and some intermediate,” Barker said. “I would say the majority of the trails are on the easier side of things… We get a lot of families out here. I think people realize you don’t have to drive an hour and half to the mountains to get good trails — you can come here.”
West Bragg Creek also has a designated snowshoe trail and snowshoers and cross-country skiers have learned to share the trails.
“When we started we had some troubles with snowshoers and walkers going on the cross-country ski trails, but through education that has pretty well stopped,” Barker said.
The popularity of the trails has also helped the Bragg Creek businesses, especially those who were affected when Wintergreen closed its downhill skiing resort a few years ago.
To get to the West Bragg Creek trail system from Okotoks head north on Highway 2 and turn west on Highway 22 for approximately 25 kilometres. Turn north into Bragg Creek. Go through Bragg Creek and turn left at the three-way stop (the opposite direction of Wintergreen Golf Course).
The West Bragg Creek trails are spectacular, but conditions can change quickly thanks to the great snow eaters — Chinook winds. To check out conditions at West Bragg go to www.albertaparks.ca/kananaskis-country and click on trail reports on the right side of the page.
For more information about the Greater Bragg Creek Association go to www.braggcreekski.org
There is no cost to ski on the trails, but donations can be made to the association through its website.
Barker' s favourite trails
Following are two of Bruce Barker' s favourite trails at the West Bragg Creek cross-country ski area. • From the parking lot, take Crystal Line east and it hooks around on to Sundog. Take Sundog to a new trail developed a few years ago called Logger' s Loop. That drops down on to Crystal Line West and that brings you back down to the parking lot… It would take the average skier about an hour to an hour and half."• The Moose Loop. Start at the parking lot and out the Mountain Road and that will bring you to an intersection that puts you on Moose Loop. It' s about 12km. There are some ups and downs. It gives some big views."
