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Rockies Conditions

Beean

2017-01-06 06:23:22

Rockies Conditions

It was cold. It’s not so cold anymore, but it was definitely pretty cold. The skiing was good if you like frostnip and facets. I don’t, but to each their own.

A little gander up the Lake Louise slack earlier in the week revealed a 15-20cm soft slab on top of a collapsing layer of facets below treeline. Double penetration skinning was so disgusting that we didn’t even bother skiing any lines. Ski patrol are reporting touchy conditions in the alpine there and are getting good results with shots, so if you head out be on your toes.

The 93N is by all reports half decent but the south faces on the highway still don’t really have enough supportive snow to cover the bigger sharks. Mellow spots have about 60-80cm coverage with; you guessed it; facets under a somewhat supportive slab.

The team checking out all the lines they can't ski on a recent AST2

A MIN report in Little Yoho reports a touch over a meter of snow with facets all the way down. Super sugary stuff, that. I didn’t get out to the 93S this week but there’s no stoke wafting up that way so take that how you will.

K Country is like, right out man. Don’t bother unless you’re just taking your skis for a walk.

Got something to add? Seen something different? Let us know!
dromo_mania

2017-01-06 20:57:57

Great review...saves me some wondering on a Friday night
Beean

2017-01-13 17:13:48

It’s warming up here, looks like longer days are now back on the table after a couple of short frigid hits in Kananaskis. We’ve had a storm which brought around 20+cms of fresh to region but that’s all sitting on unsupportive facets so keep you ptex candles hot.

Ski quality was decent (my interpretation of decent skiing has changed somewhat this year) in K-country week with around 20cms of storm snow on top of trees, rocks and a rubbish base. We managed to have a good time by skiing fast and straight and sticking to grassy slopes to avoid hitting too many rocks. I only had one christmas tree strike my unmentionables so I call that a solid day out. We also observed a recent size 1 natural on a west facing slope on a Mod alpine day.

Stellar day on the Superslope. Below 20C all day but glorious when the sun's out.

I’ve heard the 93N is pretty miserable on the north and eastern faces, but the south facing runs could be good pickings right meow. Keep in mind that the predominant winds have changed directions and you will find wind slabs on EVERY aspect. Keep an eye out for them and stay out of start zones.
Every forecast region is calling for caution on bigger lines. I’d heed that, who wants to ski a rad face in this snowpack? Find somewhere sheltered from wind that’s managed to keep the storm snow. If you tough it out and wallow up line, have fun and let us know what you hit!

Got something to add? Chime in and keep us posted!