For eight years running Ginger and Nutmeg and a crew of very spicy friends have trudged up the Lake O’Hara access road in March. The conditions have varied every year from deep winter to nearly spring. The equipment ranges from light to touring to teli and alpine touring – this year the gals got really smart and went in on snow shoes. Everyone arrives parched, hungry and feeling like they have accomplished something and they have – 11kms of hills!! This year’s crew included Cilantro and Mr. High Maintenance, Curry Murray and Mr Curry, Mountain Pepper and Cayenne, Cinnamon, the salsa twins, Oregano and his lovely wife.
Why is Lake O’Hara a slice of paradise? So many reasons;
- An endless amounts of great BC wine – the group tried very hard to get to the bottom of the supply
- Gluten free offerings included a flour-less dark chocolate cake on arrival from Mrs Oregano
- Arrival snacks including; salt/pepper/lime chicken wings and mini croque monsieurs (ham and cheese melts)
- Four course dinners including; sesame crusted halibut, cauliflower soup, NY striploin, 120 strudel, blueberry custard tart
- Hot showers
- Steamy saunas
More than anything it is the incredible scenery, lack of crowds and the chance to get into the back-country for some turns. This year was over the top! We lucked into 25cms of snow early in the week topped off by 20cms on Friday through Saturday morning. Then the sun came out and the group was treated to two “blue-bird” days. So the hangovers were quickly cured and the blisters quickly forgotten. Our trusty and very patient guide Mike got the daring and energetic into “epic” powder on Saturday.
The weekend was full of laughs, a guitar concert by the staff, a raging dance party and the requisite gals vs boys charades game. The gals were victorious again, in case you were wondering.
Lake O’Hara is paradise summer or winter. Check it out for yourself.
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Food Travel Tags:
Backcountry safety, Backcountry Skiing, Lake O'Hara Lodge, Skiing in British Columbia, Travel British Columbia
