Start and Finish Instructions

Start: The course starts at the base of the BCMC trail at the signpost at the junction of the BCMC and the Baden-Powell trails.

Finish: The course finishes at the top of Dam Mountain - the highest part of the Snowshoe grind trails on Grouse Mountain resort.

Description

VK Snowman is the classic winter vertical training route immortalised by Gary Robbins in his Barkley marathon training runs, you begin at the base of the BCMC trail and head up the BCMC to grouse mountain chalet before connecting onto the Snowshoe Grind trail to the peak of Dam Mountain. This VK may feature a combination of snow free trail, ice and then hardpack snow. At any time of the winter you might be lucky to get snow all the way down to the base of the BCMC, but typically expect snow to start about halfway up and then it will be nicely groomed winter snowshoe trails to the peak unless there is recent snowfall, then you might need to kick in the softpack a bit yourself. Don't forget your trail crampons on this one, you're going to need this when you run into ice and also the steep pitches on the Snowshoe grind will challenge you without some traction on your feet. This course is going to be a favourite for the downhill competition, its an absolute delight to run down this course in prime conditions.

Map

View course map at Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/9M4FS

Profile