I was skiing in the Corbin
Pass (west of Glacier Park)
area today with some guests.
Weather was mild (-1.0 at the parking lot in the am) with
some light snow showers throughout the day with gusty westerly winds that
caused numerous tree bomb events (clumps of snow falling off the trees) below
treeline and I am sure some wind slabs in the exposed treeline and Alpine
terrain.
There was 15-25 cms new snow over the last 48hrs. and ski
penetration was close to 45 cms. (off the old up track) - there was an
easy shear down 10cms. in the storm snow, though it didn’t pose a problem
for us during our descents – the Dec.26th interface (buried
below 60-100 cms. storm snow) is quite variable and so we simply limited our
terrain to below the road and skied moderate angled small treed slopes to
manage the uncertainty in the snowpack.
Ski quality was good and will improve on lower angled
terrain as the storm snow settles out over the next few days. Lower alders
still a bit nasty – especially if you don’t know the best way past
them. Road was not ploughed recently and when it is, it only goes to the first
switchback (which is still much appreciated – 4 wheel drive mandatory).
I would guess the deeper instabilities (Dec. 26th
and Nov.21) are not going anywhere fast.
Cheers,
Scott Davis
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide