Skiing Marmot Basin, mid-1960s

By: Frank Abbott

In the mid-60s I was studying at the University of Alberta. This fortunate location gave me access to many of the ski areas developing in the Rockies. This little tale concerns Marmot Basin. I had skied Marmot several times without satisfaction, really, I could not handle the deep dry powder snow. I was accustomed to groomed hardpack in the East. Finally, I approached Tom McCready, who was head of the ski school, with my complaint. He offered advice and invited me to follow him down the mountain. Just note that we were using wooden skis with a plastic base, unlike the parabolic composite skis we use now.

Above the treeline Tom’s advice was excellent. The snow crept over my knees, over my thighs and waist and finally divided over my shoulder. We entered the trees, and keeping track of my leader became more difficult. This was not like the glades I knew in the East. However, I followed his advice, to see the tips of my skis before attempting a maneuver.

I was about fifty feet behind Tom when suddenly he disappeared. I paralleled his track and went over a forty to fifty foot cliff! At the bottom I managed to swim out of the snow and the rest of the run was easy. Nothing like this had happened to me before. I was glad to join Tom at the bottom station, brushing off snow.

One further notes Marmot Basin was not developed at the time. There was no accommodation at the bottom and only a rough shelter at the top. The backside saw no tracks. Some of the instructors and ski patrol dug out shelters in the very deep snow at the top. I can remember only one lift – a T-bar to the top. Marmot has moved on over the last forty-plus years, more lifts and the backside developed for back-country skiing. But I won’t forget skiing with Tom McCready!