Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond

Difficulty
This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
Easy
Duration
This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
2-3h
Distance
This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
10.6 km
Elevation
This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
103 m
User Ratings
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Directions to Trailhead
Panorama on Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond XC ski trail near Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies

The Evan-Thomas cross-country ski trail offers wonderful XC skiing in Kananaskis. These trails are good for strong intermediates, and offer wonderful views. We love to extend the trail to Wedge Pond, a pretty pond at the far Southern end of this ski trail.

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Route Description for Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond

When there has been recent snowfall, then consider a trip to the Evan-Thomas section of cross-country ski trails in the Kananaskis. These XC ski trails offer wonderful views and a fun day out XC skiing, though beware that some parts melt very easily, particularly along the summer bike path.

From the Evan-Thomas Day Use area, head out at the far end of the parking lot, heading SW and then SE on a clear trail that soon roughly parallels Evan-Thomas Creek, though you can’t see the creek yet.

After roughly 1.8 km the trail goes right, and you enter a wide floodplain of Evan-Thomas Creek, and there are wonderful views here.

Re-enter the trees on the other side of the creek and follow the ski trail for roughly 2.2 km, until you reach a junction with the trail to Wedge Pond. We recommend continuing straight here and exploring Wedge Pond, as it has very nice views, especially if you descend to the edge of Wedge Pond. The round-trip distance to Wedge Pond and back is about 2.0 km.

Retrace your trail from Wedge Pond back to the junction and now go left, soon coming down to Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail). Take your skis off and you will have to carefully cross the highway. Cars aren’t expecting pedestrians here, so be careful, especially if it’s slippery out.

Once on the other side of the highway, you are now often on a paved summer cycle trail, so the sun can melt the snow on this route quite quickly, so the route can be a little bare here. You also need to cross several roads along the way; always being wary as cars do not expect pedestrians. Continue along the XC Ski trail as it heads to the edge of the Mount Kidd RV Park.

From Mount Kidd, continue on the trail for 1.8 km as it roughly parallels the highway, until you reach the Kananaskis Golf Course. We turned around here, and retraced our steps for roughly 800 m, until we came back to the highway, where we crossed and walked the 100 m to the Evan-Thomas car park.

Insider Hints for Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond

  • We love staying at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. It’s great for families, especially with the newly renovated pool and slides. Adults will love the new Nordic Spa.
  • You could stay at the nearby Mount Kidd RV Park, which has serviced sites that are open year-round. Some of the sites come with cable TV, talk about luxury!

Getting to the Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond Trailhead

Take Highway 40 from the Trans-Canada, passing by Nakiska Ski Resort. Look for a turnoff signed for Evan Thomas, which is on your left, 4.4 km after the Nakiska turnoff.

Route Information

  • When to do

    Mid-November to April

  • Backcountry Campsites

    No

  • Toilets

    Ribbon Creek Parking Lot

  • Pets allowed

    No

  • Avalanche Risk

    None

  • Family friendly

    Yes

  • Route Signage

    Average

  • Crowd Levels

    Low

  • Route Type

    Circuit

  • Type of XC Route

    Track-set

Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond Elevation Graph

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Evan-Thomas & Wedge Pond Reviews

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