Fairmont Hot Springs, BC skiing

From Banff we travelled to Fairmont Hot Springs in British Columbia in the southern Rocky Mountains.

View from our balcony.

Morning light across the mountains.

We spent a week there, while Jill and the kids skied for the best part of the week, I started the stay with a head cold and then injured my knee and didn't ski more than a day, so instead I was logistics support for the skiers. The condo that we stayed in was terrific and much needed after more than a week of hotels nearly every day. Finally we could get our gear organized better and resorted for travelling. It also meant that we had room to spread out - something the Jenkinson's do VERY well.

Inside our condo at Fairmont Hot Springs.

The weather on the mountain was variable, but mostly excellent.

Fairmont ski chalet.

Look at the view!

This ski field was perfect for us - the runs weren't too large, but they offered just the right level of challenge for the kids and mums who haven't skied in years.

Ash prepares for another snowboard run.

On the afternoon of our arrival, we needed to go back into the larger town of Invermere. When we were collecting the keys, our host had mentioned "The ice road" which was a winter track running down the middle of Lake Windemere. Naturally we had to try it.

Fishing huts on Lake Windemere.

On the way out of Fairmont, we came across a small group of mountain goats who nonchalantly wandered across the road ignoring ALL traffic and almost daring trucks to run them over.

Mountain goat next to road.

The drive was beautiful, even though we travelled along the same route on the way back. We had hoped for clear skies so that we could see the mountains - and that is exactly what we got.

View from the road along the drive.

Along the drive to Jasper we dropped into Lake Louise to have a quick look. Ash and dad raced ahead while the girls "powdered their noses". As a res ult we had almost uninterrupted views of the lake before a busload of tourists and the girls arrived. Well most of the girls arrived - Paige had a sulk and wouldn't walk on the last 30 metres. When Jill returned to get her, Paige had gone. After 10 harried minutes of searching and calling for her, Paige turned up on a trail to the left of where she was originally - crying that mum hadn't checked THAT trail. A scary moment for all of us and as a result Jill hardly saw the area.

Lake Louise on way to Jasper.

After turning off Highway 1, we were on a secondary highway and apparently the road conditions were poor - which is one step above closed. We kept wondering when the road would become bad enough to warrant the 'poor'rating - but it never happened.

The kids have been travelling well - due to the magic of Super Mario Bros. on their new DS game machines.

#1 travelling pastime for kids.

Ash in his car cockpit.

Occasionally a different diversion is needed to keep them occupied - the camera works sometimes.

Guess who has the camera?

The owner of the foot.

Along the drive to Jasper we encountered the Columbia Ice field without really knowing what it was. It turned out to be a glacier and very interesting to boot.