Things here at Vagabond Lodge are winding down for the summer season and we will be closing on September 25th until ski season.  And from the looks of things ski season isn't far away.  We have had cool wet weather for the past week or so and this morning some nice snow covering the mountains around us. 
Video is from this morning and the photos are from the top of the mountain.  Reminder if you are looking for a great place to stay this ski season give us a call at 250 344 2622 or email info@vagabondlodge.ca 

I have been discovering more great mountain biking in our area.  I have got hooked on an "Ebike" which we bought last year.  It basically looks like any other mountain bike but has a battery and a motor that helps you peddle if you want.  And it can take you to spots you normally would not go or if you did..it would be a major grunt.  You still have to peddle but it just makes it easier if you want.  
Along with friend Patrick from Selkirk Sports we did an awesome ride a few days ago that involved some of the cross country ski trails near Vagabond Lodge and then hooked on to an old rail bed(1920's) that took us on a 30 km return trip just below Vagabond Lodge to the North.  There are a few log bridges to cross(don't ride).  It is a 2% grade which means not a lot of uphill or downhill and except for some deadfall over the trail,  it was an easy and pleasant ride.  Next time we are going to continue for about another hour(we think) and will hook on to the Trans Canada Highway(#1).  Maps show the road we were on connects.  Overall it took us about 3 hours with a number of stops.  

One of the great hikes we have out the backdoor of Vagabond Lodge is along the ridge above us to the south.  I did it the other day and never tire of the views.  After taking the gondola to the top, you head along the ridge to T2 which is about 30 minutes or so.  And from there you just follow the ridge as far as you want.  You can actually hike all the way down to Golden but have never done it.  A lot of that hike would be in the trees and downhill which is not that enjoyable. When I went up there were some crazy mountain bikers, one of whom I know.  It is getting pretty popular.  They carry their bikes up to the top and then ride and carry until they get to the last peak.  From there they follow the trail that eventually meets up with the Moonraker Bike trails and wind their way back to the valley and Golden.  It seems a little extreme for me.  But the hike is fabulous. I stopped a lot for photos and it took me about 2 and a half hours return to the top of the gondola.  And the only people I ran across on the entire hike were the 3 mountain bikers.  There are not too many places you can hike in the summer in Banff or Lake Louise or Yoho this year where you will only meet a few people.  It is busy, busy, busy out here.  

One of my favourite hikes is out my backyard at the top of Kicking Horse Resort. After you take the gondola to the top of the mountain you head down the mountain biking road for a few minutes and then take the ridge to the left and follow a trail that doesn't get used much. The ridge itself is somewhat intimidating for some as it is quite narrow but it only lasts for a few minutes and then it widens out.  Some of the trail is hard to find at times but if you look ahead you usually can see where it goes. The trail  takes you below the dogtooth ridge on I assume an old game trail for about an hour or so.  At that point the trail ends at a slide area.  I suspect you could continue past the slide area and maybe find it again.  But I haven't done that yet.  From that point I head up to  the top of what is know as "Whitewall." It is a nice scramble on soft moss and rocks and takes about 15 minutes to the top.  You end up at  the edge of the ski boundary of Kicking Horse Resort.  And then I follow the ridge back to the top of the Stairway to Heaven chairlift and then back to the gondola.  Overall it took me about 2 and a half hours with a number of stops a long the way.  There was 1 other person I came across.  Very few people know about the lower hike so in most cases you are bye yourself.  There were a lot of signs of mountain goats but I never saw any.  Well worth it. 

We are into our last few days of operation for the ski season. Wow...and it has been a great one.  The resort was supposed to close for the season on April 10th but with such great conditions they have given us a "bonus weekend" on April 15/16/17th.   What we also have a chance to do for only the second time since we have been here is ski and golf on the same day.  The Golden Golf Club is scheduled to open on April 9th.  I am looking forward to that big time. Ski in the morning and then tee off in the afternoon.  How good is that? 
We have had some awesome guests this winter as usual with many returning for numerous years in a row.  What a great time for us when we can renew acquaintances.  
Also a lot of new faces.  Yesterday we said goodbye to guests from Kicking Horse Powder Tours which is a company out of Great Britain.  They had six of their clients stay with us for a week and they did a little of everything including resort skiing and back-country. 
We don't do it very often but we also cooked up some dinners for them including a cheese fondue dinner one day that was fabulous.  The recipe we use is from Prafandaz in Leysin Switzerland which is the home of the original "Club Vagabond." 
We hope to see more  of their clients back next year. Here are a few photos from their visit with us. 
Just a reminder that we are accepting reservations for next ski season and our 10% Early Bird booking Savings is in effect until October 31st.  
Summer operation for Kicking Horse is May 28-September 25 for the Gondola and Grizzly Bear Refuge. The downhill mountain biking and Via Ferrata begins on June 25th.  It is going to be a great summer. 
Give us a call toll free in Canada at 1 866 944 2622 or international 001 250 344 2622 or you can also email us at info@vagabondlodge.ca