I hope this finds Everyone keeping well and enjoying this wonderful sunshine.
In the mountains you will find a variety of snow conditions ranging from 'binding-top' to 'boot-top' powder. This powder snow is loose, very skiable, and sugary (faceted). The snow that rests on the surface now will become a weak layer once the next weather system brings new snowfall. Currently, the skiing has been excellent on north aspects all elevations and lower-angled east-facing aspects in the alpine. Steeper East aspects have been hit by the sun lately and are moist during the day and crusty in the morning. Slopes, especially steep ones, that receive any sunshine are being heated throughout the day and are begining to shed snow naturally ~ a sign that such slopes are not the places to linger near or below (especially once the sun begins to bake them in the mornings). Although I have not spent much time on western aspects these days, I presume that the same thing is happening there.
South aspects have a crust on them and are receiving a lot of warming these days. Be very cautious on southern slopes....especially ones that are steep, rocky, and shallow. Rocks and rocky cliffs attract heat from the sun and further accelerate the heating/deterioration of the adjacent snowpack.
Some observations from the Hurley Range (Pebble Glacier area as well as the Face Range) and south to the Rutherford Valley (near Whistler):
- of significant note is that the combination of a shallow snowpack and the recent faceting process has left us with many sagging and weakly-bridged crevasse bridges. Some are obvious but watch out if you're skiing shaded north aspects in fading light or beneath a veil of high cloud; both these situations tend to make it difficult to see features in dim light..... especially those loosely-bridged or sagging crevasses. Deep holes are appearing in spots that were recently thought passable. Please be careful if you're up there in glaciated terrain. A rope, glacier-travel gear, but also seeking the knowledge of how to use this kit would be a prudent measure these days. Please be careful.
-the snowpack is shallower, for example, on the east side of the Hurley Range and it's easy to ski right into rocks that are hiding just barely beneath the surface.
- the best skiing is north-facing terrain and terrain where you can see the entire slope from the top looking down. Any terrain that bulges or rolls concentrates stress and could be a problem in areas that have received any wind-effect lately.
- all that loose, sugary surface snow is flowing quite quickly and with some mass so caution if you've committed yourself to skiing steeper pitches. Some of this loose snow can flow large enough to knock you off your skis as you're skiing. Although these 'sluffs' are not currently large enough to bury a person, some are certainly large enough to push a person over a cliff or into an open crevasse...... so please make sure that there aren't any dangers below you as you ski/ride/sled.
Enjoy this great snow, that's out there, while being safe......
And please, keep thinking about avoiding steep, rocky, and shallow terrain.......
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
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These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
Please check out http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
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