Burnie Glacier Conditions

The latest Public Mountain Conditions Report on the conditions at Burnie Glacier - sounds like someone is having some fun?

Four days into a week up at Burnie Glacier Chalet.

Yesterday we ventured up the Burnie Step (an imposing feature

approaching 50 degrees), skis on the whole way up. We continued up the

Burnie Glacier and into the S. Telkwa and did a couple of gentle

glacier runs. Excellent conditions throughout the day, with deep

powder skiing down the Burnie Step. The high alpine (e.g. mountain

tops, steep exposed faces, cols) has had a fair bit of wind but it was

still easy to find great skiing.

Last night the weather came in. Currently we have about 25cm (and

still snowing) adding to 15cm storm snow from the past week. These

layers are bonding well to the previous low density 30cm from 110303

which in turn is bonding well to the underlying surfaces. No

persistent week layers appear to be present in this snowpack.

On lower elevation S aspects there is a thin sun crust that formed

yesterday afternoon. Skiing on Tom George Mtn today was nonetheless

sensational -- the soft crust is well buried by now -- and we almost

went for a fourth 700m run it was so good! But beer and munchies won

the debate.

We are calling stability Fair in the alpine with a caution for

windloading on NE-N-NW aspects and crossloaded features, and G at

Treeline and below. Considering the additional 20-30cm snow in the

forecast this could change quickly, especially with much wind, but so

far only light to occasionally moderate winds from the south. Hazard

is Considerable in Alpine, Moderate at Treeline, Good Below treeline.

Regards,

Tom Wolfe

Mountain Guide ACMG/IFMGA

Canmore, AB