Time: 2 Days
Elevation Gain: 700m+
Technical Difficulty: A little tricky on descent for a beginner, especially if you come down the stream.
Avalanche Terrain: ATES 1 (referring to just the trail)
Rating: 7/10
Done: March 2008

So this was to be my first (of hopefully many) overnight ski tours, and was actually organised as a beginner ACC (Alpine Club of Canada) trip. The plan was to head up to Maccarib Pass, that looks down into Tonquin Valley and the Ramparts, camp for the night, then head out the next day after some yo-yo skiing in the vicinity of the pass.

The trail starts on the ski road to Marmot Basin, and is clearly sign-posted. From the car park you can take a trail on either side of the stream (Portal Creek); they meet up in a few hundred metres, where they keep to the right of the stream during the whole ascent. It’s not uncommon for this trail to be really icy and crappy later in the season, so it is sometimes advisable to head right up the stream bed itself, even if it’s only so you know where the holes are on your way down, when taking the stream is definitely the better option in my opinion.

After a long uphill section, the trail eventually flattens out at tree-level and the views open up as you cross the base of a number of avalanche paths in a very scenic valley. Portal Creek campground is located just after this section, as Maccarib Pass itself comes into view. Heading on towards the pass great views in all directions allow you to start checking out the skiing potential. No huge lines…but lots of good options for some gentler runs admist stunning scenery. One final slog takes you up to the pass, from where you are rewarded with a stunning glimpse of the Ramparts. We made our way a short way down the other side of the pass to camp. Be warned that as you descend the pass you are actually in a terrain trap for any avalanche slide from your left. A good idea not to pitch camp right there!

The weather for us was a cloudy, snow fest on day 1. Views were very limited, and skiing was ultra difficult in the flat light as we tried a few runs in late afternoon. Snow persisted overnight, and we awoke to a stunning blue sky powder day that provided a gorgeous back drop for some truly memorable runs. The ski out was fine without skins the whole way down…but a lot of double poleing for the long flat sections. Coming down the creek provided some interesting skiing that made a fun way to finish off the trip.

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