Nathan

I started my oldest son last year - he had just turned 3. It sounds like Bug has a lot more experience with this than I do, and I fully agree with the all-about-fun philosophy. The highlights for Caleb (my son) were always the chairlift ride and snacks. Don't even bother with technique at first- they figure it out when they figure it out. We started with the harness system, which was a good experience for us. It lets you get around and see the mountain. When their legs get tired you can choke up on the harness and give them support. By the end of the season he was skiing without the harness and cranking off turns in soft snow, and he was stoked. We kept the days really short. Luckily we have a hill close to us (Grouse Mtn) and often we'd just make two runs, and by the end of the second I was basically carrying him. I tried not to push him too much, but he was always keen. A couple times I tried to talk him out of going skiing because it was raining, but he was still keen and insisted on going. I have such good memories of skiing as a kid, and its exciting to see Caleb starting to experience the same thing. Hopefully it goes as well with my other two boys when the time comes! (they're 2 years old and 3 months). Have a good season!

Another thing I've done with my kids is tie the free end of the rope onto the back of their harness (i.e. the end that is coming out of my belay device) so it's like they're pulling a haul line up behind them. I use this just to overcome friction if needed (I find the kids are so light that if there's a little friction in the system sometimes it's hard for them to start lowering) and also to coax them left/right if they need it on the lower. I guess you could also use it to provide some "encouragement" if necessary... just make sure there are no social workers around.

Another option if you want ice close to Banff is the North Face of Stanley - easy drive, easy hike in and out, and a fun ice face.

Check your PM's

There's some fun easy bouldering on the N side of Cox bay, and in the rocky areas between Cox bay and Chesterman beach to the north. At the right tides some areas even have flat sandy landings. Go with low expectations, and you'll have a good time.

Actually, A search will be initiated after all emergency contacts, which are listed when the device is registered, are exhausted. This is a serious system. It is only to be activated when all other means of survival have been ruled out. I have the ACR unit with the internal GPS. It can be had for less than $600.00. Each unit is registered with a federal agency at no cost to the owner. I mainly use the unit for offshore fishing, but do occasionally take it with me on hikes in New England. I certainly don't think they should require these things, but maybe promote them somehow with some sort of incentives/discounts...... So you're saying that if I activate a PLB they'll phone my wife (or whoever's on my list) who can possibly give SAR the general situation (am I solo, what was I planning on doing, etc...) before they send out the search party? Seems like that could in many cases provide some basic helpful information on the general situation. Personnaly I think a PLB sounds like a good thing as an absolute last resort when the shit really hits the fan, especially for solo activities, even if there's a <1% chance I'll use it in my lifetime. Now if only they cost and weighed 1/3 the amount they do right now... Any international restrictions on PLB's? Anyone have experience using them in Canada?

Here's my take on it: if your on steepish hard snow you aren't going to be able to self-arrest anyways, so you're better off plunging the axe as solid as you can. I find this is more comfortable with the self-belay style. Comfort is important since if your hand starts to get sore, your less likely to plunge your axe in real good.

I tried the E ridge maybe 5 years ago. I have no idea if that's the way you would descend or not, but from the base of the E ridge back to Bush river is not at all a bad descent (1/2 day, mostly on logging roads) We came up the standard E ridge approach from Bush River/Rice Brook. We parked our 2wd car shortly after the Rice Brook road leaves Bush River. I remember there was a gate and a washout maybe 1km after this. Sorry, this info is badly out of date, maybe it will help.

Here's my 2 cents: The sugar daddies make an alright ski for firmer conditions (compared to other fat skis), and good for touring since they're pretty light for their size. If you're going to be skiing in-bounds a lot, I would recommend either Volkl explosives, or some K2 offerring (AK launchers), or Rossi XXX. These skis are a little stiffer, and more importantly way more torsionally stiff and will ski the pants off the sugar daddies in mixed ice/firm/powder conditions. The Volkls in particular are an awesome all-around ski, super durable, maybe a little heavy for touring.

Picture attached - skins

Picture attached - boots

Picture attached - bottom of skis

Picture attached - top of skis

Complete AT setup for good downhill/uphill performance compromise: -Skis: 190cm Dynastar Bigs (light, fat, and pink) -Bindings: Dynafit Tourlite -Boots: Scarpa Laser, size 10 -Skins: Ascension (cut to fit Bigs) $600 CDN firm for package. Selling since I unjustifiably own 2 AT setups. Pictures attached in posts below. PM me if interested, I live in North Vancouver.

Everyone seems to go around the north side of Overlord, but you can traverse Refuse pinnacle (I think that's the name) and then over or around the south side of Overlord to the Overlord-Benvolio col. I did this maybe 10 years ago with a group of hikers, some in running shoes, and it was casual. I think Fairley's guide says something about Refuse pinnacle that makes it sound scary, but it is Class 2 at worst. Much easier than dealing with all those crevasses. I'm guessing in winter it would be a lot tricker with cornices and such.