Non AVY Areas to ride at Cataract Creek?

[02 Summit]

I'm new to sledding and spent last winter riding the ditches around calgary. I am itching to take my sled out and go for a ride. I hear about riding at Cataract Creek. I plan on taking an AST 1 course next season but do not have any avy training or a beacon yet.

My question is: Is there any areas at I can ride at Cataract Creek safely?

If anyone has a map of the trail system and can recommend any areas that would be good or to avoid it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Pistonbroke]

I'm new to sledding and spent last winter riding the ditches around calgary. I am itching to take my sled out and go for a ride. I hear about riding at Cataract Creek. I plan on taking an AST 1 course next season but do not have any avy training or a beacon yet.

My question is: Is there any areas at I can ride at Cataract Creek safely?

If anyone has a map of the trail system and can recommend any areas that would be good or to avoid it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Uhhhh, I think all of them? It's a really easy beginner area - I can't remember there being any avy area unless you push over to the BC side.

 

[DYSLEXIC]

 

[unkle dirrt]

ive been out there and heard avalanches happening in the surrounding area.it was pretty creepy.dont kid yourself just because MOST of the terrain is pretty easy that doesent mean there is no avy risk.i actually ride out there all the time and and to be honest there is some challenging stuff out there also some dangerous spots here and there like for instance after reaching the skyline summit, if you continue straight and start descending down again, there is a steep dropoff on your left side and the drifts that blow in are making the trail slope to the left hand side.two weeks ago i went down there with my wife and newbie friend and he slid off that slope and the only thing that saved him and the sled from sliding into the abyss was an 8" tree that couldn't have been in a better spot lol.all im really trying to say is be careful and be AWARE of the risks even if you dont have a beacon or avy training.also not to sound like your mom here but must haves are a GOOD shovel, tow rope, flash light and extra gas.also i hope your going with at least one other guy.and watch out for other sleds on the trails it gets pretty busy on the weekends.oh maps are everywhere out there usually where you come to an intersection there will be a map.have fun see you out there!

 

[calgarysledguy]

ive been out there and heard avalanches happening in the surrounding area.it was pretty creepy.dont kid yourself just because MOST of the terrain is pretty easy that doesent mean there is no avy risk.i actually ride out there all the time and and to be honest there is some challenging stuff out there also some dangerous spots here and there like for instance after reaching the skyline summit, if you continue straight and start descending down again, there is a steep dropoff on your left side and the drifts that blow in are making the trail slope to the left hand side.two weeks ago i went down there with my wife and newbie friend and he slid off that slope and the only thing that saved him and the sled from sliding into the abyss was an 8" tree that couldn't have been in a better spot lol.all im really trying to say is be careful and be AWARE of the risks even if you dont have a beacon or avy training.also not to sound like your mom here but must haves are a GOOD shovel, tow rope, flash light and extra gas.also i hope your going with at least one other guy.and watch out for other sleds on the trails it gets pretty busy on the weekends.oh maps are everywhere out there usually where you come to an intersection there will be a map.have fun see you out there!

I thought i have heard some Avys as well when down south, west of the skyline area.Then got thinking maybe they were blasts from the Fording mine.It really isn't that far away.Maybe wind carried the sound over the ridge....... who knows...

 

[ferniesnow]

They tend to blast around 1-2 pm. It can be on any day. I live 40 km from Fording and maybe 20 from Greenhills and the blasts shake the house. I would think you would hear them, particularly, if the wind is right.

 

[DYSLEXIC]

Went on the south trail again with the boy on the old Enticers - went a bit further, I think it was up Cumming to the right...the boy rode like a champ up the steep stuff by himself on the old ET300 (nice single track). We did have to turn around and go all the way back down cause the trails were so bumpy that we couldn't get enough air over the old AIR Cooled engines.....no avy's on the trails we're on.

When I get more time on the Polaris 800, then I'll tag along for the ride into BC. Got the avy gear now and the courses, and rode Silent Pass a couple times now. Different feeling in the deep.....super fun too.