SITE FEATURES
 The vistas at Parker's Ridge are picture perfect. |
JASPER, AB – At SnowSeekers, we know how you feel. It's the end of April, Marmot Basin is closing its doors on another amazing season, but you're nowhere near ready to say goodbye to all that powder. It's not fair. We know. Why do hockey players and bowlers get to enjoy their sport all year round, while we get shafted by summer?
Well, your summer hasn't quite started yet. If you've never been, do yourself a favour and make your way to Parker's Ridge, just 4 km south of the Banff-Jasper boundary. Parker's Ridge is a favorite backcountry ski tour amongst the locals for its accessibility to the alpine and its terrific snow conditions. With proper knowledge of the terrain and potential dangers, the Ridge makes for an amazing playground for skiers and snowboarders.
"Even in June and July you can expect that same dry, rocky mountain powder that you're used to," said Megan Gibson, a former director of marketing and communications at Marmot Basin in Jasper. "Parker's Ridge pretty much guarantees a super sunny, fun-filled day; a laid back, flat-country experience."
Parker's Ridge is a must do for all hikers in the Columbia Icefield area. Although every hike around the Icefields is incredible, the one at Parker's Ridge is beyond belief. Giant peaks (even by Canadian Rockies standards) dominate the area, and you'll look down on the Saskatchewan Glacier, which is an experience in itself. Even if you don't plan on hitting the slope that day, the hike up Parker's Ridge is a great way for your family to spend the afternoon. It's a more challenging hike than Jasper's popular Maligne Canyon, but you'll be rewarded for the effort.
Parker's Ridge is located just after the Icefields, on the Icefields Parkway, on the right side of the highway as you drive towards Banff from Jasper. It's a popular spot at this time of year. Even if you arrive at 10 a.m., you might have a hard time finding a parking spot if it's a nice day.
"It's so popular for a number of reasons. For one, it's so easy to access. You can see if from the highway, and it's only a 20 minute hike up the slope. Secondly, it's terrain that most people can ski comfortably. It's a good intermediate run, the equivalent to skiing down Tranquilizer at Marmot Basin. Maybe it's a little steeper, but nothing crazy. And thirdly, the parties. There's always a big party around the second week of July as the summer season winds down. It's an amazing time every year."
Parker's Ridge isn't always fun and games, however. It's important to note that it lies on a north facing slope. North facing slopes hold onto that classic winter character for long periods of time, but these areas should be treated with caution. Even with proper training, there are times that natural hazards will release on their own and you can't avoid it. Parker's Ridge is listed on the Jasper National Park Avalanche Bulletin for a reason. It is recommended that you carry with you a transceiver, probe, and a shovel when accessing this area or other backcountry settings that have avalanche hazards.
But with the proper precautions, you and your family are in for an amazing conclusion to your season.
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Total snowfall so
far this season:
10054 cm