[MCR] Wapta Icefields, March 25-28, 2011

Excellent ski conditions continued on the Wapta Icefields during the last fours days on a First Summits trip with the ACC.  We had 5-10cm of new snow in some overnight squalls and mostly clear weather during the days.  Little wind effect anywhere made for good powder skiing and ski penetrations of about 10-15cm kept the trail breaking easy.  Sun crust forming on steeper solar aspects in the alpine and on all solar aspects at lower elevations.

 

Average of 250-300cm of snow on the main Icefields with some thin spots on glacier bulges and the toe of the glaciers down to 160cm.  Good travel into Bow and out Peyto on supportive surfaces which were starting to break down in the early afternoon with the warming temperatures. 

 

We saw no new slab avalanches, quite a few loose snow avalanches on steep solar aspects triggered by daytime warming, and a couple small recent cornice failures.  Still cautious about wind loaded features and thin snowpack areas.

 

Enjoy the spring skiing!   
 

Cheers, Conrad Janzen
ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide
Trip photos at www.banffmountainguides.com

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