Inaugural skate of the season! December 29, 2025

 

When I walked out the door yesterday morning it was -22C (-7.6F) a very icy cold, when I walked out the door this morning at the same time as I did yesterday it was +2C (+35.6F).  It was not cold yet where I went was icy because that's what I needed for my first time on skates this season. Bowness opened for skating on December 20th yet today was the first available time I had to go.  This was the view as I pulled into the parking spot across from The Ice Trail at Bowness Park. Down here by the river it was -5C (+23F).  The guy just finished flooding the ice surface which meant I would be making the first etchings on it as no one else was around with their skates.  

The trees were still lit as I skated away!

a five second video as I am finding my skating legs

my favourite section along The Ice Trail

my favourite time too, when no one else is here, the lights are still on and

there is still early morning shades in the sky

that's my collection of etchings after three times around 

If you are a curler you would enjoy Crokicurl!

This patch is directly across the way.

It was just groomed and ready for curlers.

with the lights long out

the golden glow now came from the sun

view behind me

Being my first time skating this season the plan was to skate five kilometres.  I got lost in the beauty, lost in my thoughts, lost in the sound of the blades stroking the ice and of each breath I took.  It felt so easy and so good to be skating.  I stopped to check the distance I covered so far and it showed just over 10 kilometres.  I continued until I reached the bench where my boots were which brought my distance to 11.07 kms. All I can say is that life feels good right now!  

icy cold December 28, 2025

Yesterday's drive home was a white knuckle one from door to door after a four night stay in Banff National Park to celebrate Christmas.  For the most part the driving in Banff was veering on white knuckle but then again what can you expect when there was snowfall night after night after night after night. Yes, snowfall every night I was there.  When I arrived back home, I needed to decompress from the drive and the best way was to create a watercolour painting.  I remembered my "note to self" in my last blog post and this is the outcome of that.  My reference photo shown in the last post is of an icy cold view of the Bow River in Banff.  

After decompressing last evening then getting a good night sleep, it was time to head out this morning back into icy cold conditions.  This is what I saw when I checked the forecast.  I dressed for it so I would be comfortable out watching wildlife at Carburn Park. Thankfully the "Deerfoot 500" was not busy and the road was clear.

my first view after crossing the little bridge

The sun rising above the trees!

The views along the river were a photographer's dream!  

I did what I could to safely get as low as I could to capture shots of the snow flower blooms.  

Time came to shift focus from the icy cold to the wildlife!  The Canada Geese were plentiful but not many were swimming around.  This one was on the move, you can see frost build up on its back.  The photo is clear, it's the icy cold that gives a hazy look.

 

This is what most of the Canada Geese looked like!

It was the same situation with the Mallard Ducks.  These three were on the move 

while the others were snuggled in with the Canada Geese.

Then there were the Canada Geese snuggled in with the Trumpeter Swans!

What's with this Trumpeter Swan?

Doing a little dance!

Finding it cold on the feet!

I watched these two Bucks slowly walk towards each other!  

I was expecting and hoping for action of some sort! 

They gave each other the eye then continued slowly walking away.  

This guy stopped to scratch an itch!  

A little later I saw one Buck already settled in the snow.

He is missing part of an antler.

The other Buck was trying to settle!

On days like these being in amongst the trees brings a bit more warmth but I prefer to be out in the open by the river, that's where there is a bountiful of beauty.  This part of the Bow River never fully freezes over no matter how icy cold it gets!  I made sure to get my fill of this icy cold because the forecast says we are in for a change to near and above freezing temperatures!

Christmas in Banff December 26, 2025

I woke this morning to see even more snow on my vehicle than there was yesterday morning!  I originally thought I would cross country ski today but changed my mind. I prefer being able to see groomed tracks to ski in.  What I did instead was a ten k swish around Banff starting from the train station parking lot where it is free to park.

the pathway leading from the train station parking lot to the…..

…..Banff sign! 

From here on in, the walkways were not clear of snow 

so there was much swishing to do to my delight! 

 view of Cascade Mountain framed by the snow laden trees

Yesterday I hiked up Tunnel Mountain which is in the middle above the trees.

an American Dipper

dip dip dipping in the snow

This is the section of the Bow River Trail that leads to Bow Falls.  There was a warning sign that it is not maintained in winter.  More swishing was required along with some slow sliding when descending.  

 view of the Bow River

made it down to the flat section

frozen and snow covered Bow Falls

 note to self:  create a watercolour painting 

Now came time to climb back up from the river.  

The trails here were cleared as they are on the Banff Springs Hotel property.

This is in the courtyard on the backside of the archway.

the front of the Banff Springs Hotel with Mount Rundle as the backdrop

   crossing the bridge leading to downtown 

I made it back to the train station parking lot but had to take a detour and round about way to get back to my home away from home.  My planned route was closed due to an accident.  The detour was along unplowed side streets where my vehicle did lots of swishing.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I pulled into the parking spot. 

snacks & wine

the Mouse Angel singing Oh Christmas Tree….. 

…..while I sat by the fire!

Christmas in Banff December 25, 2025

 

To wake to see another new accumulation of snow from overnight was a great Christmas present on its own. To wake on Christmas morning in Banff, turning a dream into reality, was a present to myself.  Although the best Christmas present came a few days early when on Monday morning, I had a six month check up with the surgeon. I told him how I felt, what my physical accomplishments were then showed him my range of motion. He told me I was doing exceptional!  He stated a small percentage of people get back to being at 100%, he told me I could be one of those if I continue to put in the work. Of course I am going to!

This morning the plan was to hike up Tunnel Mountain. I prayed the roads to the trailhead were plowed, and they were.  While I was the first vehicle in the parking lot, I was not the first on the trail.  Four others were ahead of me and to that I say Thank You for breaking trail through all the new snow. 

breakfast time 

This deer would not move off the trail.  This was the look I got when I stomped my feet, waved my arms and said get going shew move on. Finally it did trot off trail.  

 narrow path through the snow 

My pace matched that of a snail. 

I stopped to capture a bazillion beautiful seconds in time.  

view down to the Bow River and Banff Springs Golf Course

looking across at where I was yesterday 

left red mark is the Sulphur Mountain Terminal

right red mark is the Cosmic Ray Building 

male Red Crossbill 

female Red Crossbill 

As I was nearing the high point, I met the four hikers on their way back down.  I thanked them for breaking trail. This is my first destination shot!  The snow was just below my knees. That’s Banff and the Bow Valley below me.

After visiting the high point, I hiked back down to the official Tunnel Mountain summit.  

This is my second destination shot, peeking out from the Red Chairs.  

Loads of untouched snow looked so inviting!

I passed on the invitation!

 view of the mountain range to the east with Rundle on the right

on my way back down to the trailhead 

Time came to get the turkey in the oven and prepare all the fixings.  Once dinner and desert were devoured then came time to relax by the Christmas Tree and crackling fire.  I looked outside to see flurries falling once again!  What a Merry Christmas!  I hope you had a Merry Christmas!