Purple Knob
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
3.75 mi
2,031 ft
A steeper, more commiting line in the Hero Knob area
This is a nice loop ski tour with a steeper descent. The trailhead is the same as you would park for Hero's Knob and you initially head in the same direction, but instead of continuing up the drainage and turning right toward Mount Murray you head left toward Black Prince Ridge.
To get to the descent you circumvent the highest peak on Black Prince ridge and drop in towards Mount Murray. This is a beautiful ski tour but has a lot of committing avalanche terrain. The ascent crosses several well defined avalanche paths and the run itself is important to have good stability on. You can often get a lot of wind affect on this slope and you will want to be mindful of wind slabs and loading before dropping in.
This is a very aesthetic line and well worth the effort. I think it is best linked on with Sweet 16 toward hero's knob if you have the energy. The link up affords you two awesome downhills and an easier ski out back to the car. This is a favourite zone in Kananaskis for those who like steeper alpine terrain as there is very little tree skiing. Having said this you are also in a lot more avalanche terrain for a sustained time so timing and stability are important factors when choosing when to ski this line. Grab your buddies on an alpine start spring day, pack the sunscreen and have some fun enjoying a good aprés ski snack at your car before noon! Written by Kylee Toth
This is a nice loop ski tour with a steeper descent. The trailhead is the same as you would park for Hero's Knob and you initially head in the same direction, but instead of continuing up the drainage and turning right toward Mount Murray you head left toward Black Prince Ridge.
To get to the descent you circumvent the highest peak on Black Prince ridge and drop in towards Mount Murray. This is a beautiful ski tour but has a lot of committing avalanche terrain. The ascent crosses several well defined avalanche paths and the run itself is important to have good stability on. You can often get a lot of wind affect on this slope and you will want to be mindful of wind slabs and loading before dropping in.
This is a very aesthetic line and well worth the effort. I think it is best linked on with Sweet 16 toward hero's knob if you have the energy. The link up affords you two awesome downhills and an easier ski out back to the car. This is a favourite zone in Kananaskis for those who like steeper alpine terrain as there is very little tree skiing. Having said this you are also in a lot more avalanche terrain for a sustained time so timing and stability are important factors when choosing when to ski this line. Grab your buddies on an alpine start spring day, pack the sunscreen and have some fun enjoying a good aprés ski snack at your car before noon! Written by Kylee Toth
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