Canmore Weekend (Yo' bike's so fat...)

This weekend was perfect for a little rest, retreat, romance, and relaxation in Canmore. If there was another R in that alliteration it would be recreation - Canmore offers a little of everything for being "Not Calgary", definitely not Banff, and having endless fun opportunities.

We planned on XC skiing Saturday, and leaving our imaginations to figure out Sunday. That was, until our imaginations were hijacked by the sight of snow-bikes outside Rebound Cycle.

I've been a bit of a snow-bike skeptic. Firstly because we've been winter cross riding for years - roads, trails, and all - so what's the big deal. Lately the Monstercross venture has built further on the winter capabilities, and I was vocally skeptical about the need for anything else.

A snow bike isn't the same philosophy. It's not the ideal tool for ground-covering winter adventure. It's the ideal tool for manhandling winter terrain with the combined finesse of a freight train and a D-10 Cat, and the same feeling of unstoppability!

Winter trails take on a new perspective: any amount of foot-traffic packing will do with a 4-inch tire and 8psi. The combination of traction and gyroscopic effect give you the ability to roll along almost anything (so long as high speed direction changing isn't necessary).

Quarry Lake, Highline trail, Soft Yogurt, Devonian Drop, and the Orange Trail were accomplished, all fully rideable and enjoyable. Highline had actually been "track set" by the local snow bike crew to the point of a perfectly packed singletrack ribbon. Ashley agreed: perfect, fun riding and well worth it!