Last updated on March 8th, 2023 at 04:03 am
The sun came out and the temperatures were warm so we decided to ski the Cascade Fire Road in Banff. Nervous would be an understatement as we pulled up to the parking lot, I’d read the ski back to the car was ‘fast fun’ and fast is certainly not something I would say I enjoy on any form of transport. Very little else around Banff had been groomed though following two days of snowfall so it made the Cascade Fire Road trail an obvious option, marked green for easy, how hard could it be?
Where Is The Trailhead
Parking to ski the cascade fire road is at Lake Minnewanka. From Highway One, exit at the Banff exit, from here there are signs for Lake Minnewanka. In winter half the scenic loop drive is closed off for wildlife. As you start the drive, you are forced to turn right due to the closure, following signs for Two Jake Lake and Lake Minnewanka.
You’ll cross the dam and then parking is on the right, at the Lake Minnewanka day use area. The trail head is back on the road, starting where the closure gate is.
How To Ski The Cascade Fire Road
The Cascade Fire Road trail is split into three parts on the Parks Canada website so you can ski different lengths depending on your ability and the time you have, all the trails are rated green and easy. We chose to ski the Cascade Fire Road to the Cascade River Bridge.
Distance to the Cascade River Bridge: 6.3km
Elevation Gain: 135m
Elevation Loss: 50m
The trail is typically double trackset to the Cascade River Bridge, meaning a nice wide and easy trail.
It starts with a small downhill as the trail follows the summer road. As it levels out, there is meadow on the right and the trail to the Cascade River Bridge turns off right here, along the side of the meadow. If you continue along the road you’ll get to Bankhead, which is another option for this trail.
As you turn right into the meadow the elevation gain starts. All the elevation gain when you ski the Cascade Fire Road happens here, in one big long, relatively steep hill. The trail pretty much goes through the trees here, offering some nice shade on a warm winters day!
At the top of the hill, the trail levels out and from here the going gets considerably easier. Mostly in the trees, you get the occasional view of the mountains each side of the valley. It does eventually open up, allowing you to get some sun.
Once the trail opens up, you are almost at the destination of your ski along the Cascade Fire Road. Beware, the trail starts to descend and it is steep, round a curve, all the way down to the river. When I did it, it was slick and the trackset disappeared shortly after the trail started to descend. A nice gentleman coming up, saw my hesitance and gave me prior warning it was time to get out of the tracks and practice my plow!
Once at the river, cross the bridge, there is a campground on the left after the bridge. A perfect spot for lunch, there is even an outhouse in case you need to go! This is where we ended our ski along the Cascade Fire Road.
If you don’t turn into the campground, the trail continues all the way to Stoney Creek, however, past the campground it becomes single trackset, with more elevation gain. This is the third option when you ski the Cascade Fire Road.
For those with the gear, you can book a spot at the Cascade Bridge, CR6, campground and spend the night by reserving your camp spot online here.
Other Options For Skiing The Cascade Fire Road
Lake Minnewanka To Bankhead
Distance: 2km return
Elevation change: minimal
Lake Minnewanka to Stoney Creek
Distance: 15.1km one way
Elevation gain: 250m
Elevation loss: 85m
If you are looking for other beginner trails in Banff, check out my post on the Tunnel Mountain cross country ski trail here.
