Dec. 4/16 Ghost Lake ice ...

[Reijo]

Last week (Sunday) there was zero ice on Ghost Lake.   Today it is entirely frozen over except for a little tiny hole adjacent to the dam where the outflow is.  I was surprised.

However the only bad thing is that there is about 100 mm of snow there which acts like insulation and may prevent the lake ice from freezing a little bit.  I hope to head out there again next weekend to check how the ice is doing (should be good after a week of -15 to -28 C temps!).

There are a few more photos on the FB page.

[Midnightsky]

-34C windchill tonight in Airdrie, worse tomorrow night, Id bet by this weekend ghost lake will have frozen over perfectly.  Instructors class before Christmas?

[Reijo]

Yes, I was thinking that ...

[Reijo]

Looking like an ice age coming (as some scientists are thinking these days) ... very cold essentially for the foreseeable future.  We might be able to get started early indeed!   If the forecast holds, I bet we have over 2' of ice within 2 weeks!

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/14-day-weather-trend/alberta/calgary

[Midnightsky]

Finally I can decide if I like my abs on ice or not, the highway between Airdrie and Calgary was pure glass a couple days ago, thankfully no panic stops were necessary but I did see several in the ditch.

[nnywg]

...but I did see several in the ditch.

Incidentally the winter tires I had for sale for 2 months with no interest sold within 12hrs of the first snowfall.   

Driving on Ghost is a very interesting experience.

[Midnightsky]

...but I did see several in the ditch.

Incidentally the winter tires I had for sale for 2 months with no interest sold within 12hrs of the first snowfall.   

Driving on Ghost is a very interesting experience.

My ghost lake driving experience should be very interesting this year, smaller offset rear rims with non-studded winters and the oem offset up front with used studded kuhmo's.  Accord 2.4L Coupe with stick but no lsd.

[ZiG]

Put the studded tires in the rear.

[Midnightsky]

Put the studded tires in the rear.

Good gawd no, Id never get traction on all the ice I have encountered the past 2 weeks.  So far it seems like the shorter offset in the rear is helping keep the rear planted until I force it out with the ebrake.  I was expecting much more throttle lift oversteer as that was my experience on gravel with this Accord.

[zero10]

The "conventional" wisdom with winter tires is even on a FWD to put the grippiest tires on the rear because if you have the back end with less grip it can swing around when braking.

Can't say I have ever experienced that but I have been told it by a lot of people.

[ZiG]

if you have the back end with less grip it can swing around when braking.

Or turning.

[nnywg]

I say put the studded tires on the left and non-studded on the right.  Best of both worlds as long as the course goes clockwise. 

[Midnightsky]

if you have the back end with less grip it can swing around when braking.

Or turning.

Honestly I have tried to make the back end step out, it stays put until I use the ebrake to encourage the swing.  Even turning under braking it won't swing, thats why I am thinking the having the rear wheels at a lesser offset than oem has perhaps helped to keep the rear end planted? I also expected alot of oversteer under braking and turning on snow/ice but the car stays very well planted, no stability control system either, not even traction control.

[Reijo]

Just short of 6" of ice at Ghost Lake today (Friday, Dec. 9).

R

[Midnightsky]

Just short of 6" of ice at Ghost Lake today (Friday, Dec. 9).

R

Any vehicles seen out and about on the ice? I guess we are still short about 10inches so I hope nobody was out there