Matt Ruta 
It takes a lot to get my skis and I out of our home ranges. The combination of the Rockies, Purcells and Selkirks is enough to provide me with an endless stream of inspiration for ski missions ranging from utterly boring to actually fairly adventurous. This March though, an opportunity to ski in a forgotten chain of 3000m+ peaks in southern Spain and pay a visit to the alpine mecca of Chamonix… Read More
I have a love/hate relationship with the extended high pressure system. This most recent one, though, has so far served up nothing but good times. By virtue of the weird fall we had, the alpine is caked with a little extra snow, despite lower elevations looking only marginally better than they did in October. That means bigger lines are coming in, even if their approaches aren’t. After a few weeks of mainly working… Read More
Note: for any followers reading this and wondering if they got stuck in a time loop, I’m publishing it in the dog days of summer 2017 after finding it lying around as a draft. Anyway; The fall of 2016 was memorably cool and wet. That’s convenient because, as of October, I was one ski day away from 12 consecutive months of skiing. It’s not something I really expected to care about, but… Read More
I wasn’t sure whether to write this post. It’s easy to talk about the risks until they turn to realities. Until consequence ripples outwards, tearing the meaning from the words. I don’t feel, though, that I can continue posting my own ski adventures without acknowledging the loss of the friend who has inspired so many of them. Despite the time that has passed since I found out, it is still raw, and… Read More
My first ever September turns (Seriously. I have no excuse.) took place Sept 21st high above iconic Moraine Lake. This trip report will be brief, as in all honesty there wasn’t much of a trip to report on. Just a great day on an easily approached big line for my 11th consecutive month of skiing. Plus a few photos, which I think came out all right.
On August 23, summer or not, the forecast was calling for snow. Having been without the restorative effects of exposure and a good bone-chilling alpine wind for altogether too long, Trevor and I decided it was time for a mission to Mt. Athabasca’s beautiful Silverhorn. Ian was interested as well, but had injured his foot recently and wasn’t too sure about front pointing. At the last moment, Trevor reassured him with a… Read More
Lately, I’ve developed a thing for condensing perfectly good multi-day objectives into sub 24-hour speed missions. Moving quickly in the mountains is truly addictive, and I am hooked. When Trevor suggested we go after some summer turns in a slightly masochistic take on Mt. Joffre in a day, I was instantly psyched at the opportunity to have a go at the impressive 11000er. After day tripping both the Wapta Traverse and Mt. Columbia… Read More
It’s been a weird, warm spring. When winter decided to make its return to the alpine halfway through June, I barely took notice, focusing instead on the effect the rain was having on the already dusty bike trails. Luckily, Trevor alerted me to my mistake. Some prodding to get me out of beach mode was required, but soon enough I was grabbing my skis for a mega day trip onto the Jumbo Glacier. With fresh snow,… Read More
Last month I enjoyed the incredible opportunity to ski from the summit of Mt. Columbia, in a one day push on my first visit to the legendary Columbia Icefield. After an introduction like that, I was fired up to return to what is, in my mind one of the epicenters of Rockies ski mountaineering. On Friday the 13th I did, setting off with Trevor for a four day mission to the northern arm… Read More
A very long day trip to the highest spot in Alberta. Welcome to the sufferfest.
Matt Ruta 