Just returned from Whitewater today (along with 100 other eager souls) and see that the snow is starting to pile up with some mixed layers just to keep things interesting. We found up to 100cm mid mountain with a wind slab layer down 10cm on certain aspects - variable really, as well as a thin crust currently on the surface - perhaps from a little sun bake or some precip?
At its peak, the parking lot had approximately 70 cars in it and the inbound runs looking more like the hill was already open than not. Things were pretty tracked up on the usual runs and people were hooting an hollering from every corner. Kids on sleds, saucers, crazy carpets, skis - you name it,... at least a dozen dogs having a good run and their owners getting in some early season turns.
It was snowing lightly all day today with minimal accumulation but as we left the hill things started to pick up and as I type it is puking out. Keep the snow dance going though as we could really use another 30cm of some nice dense snow to pack things down and provide a good base as it's currently bottomless where the wind slab is not present. A mixed bag from one location to another.
The current forecast is promising with temps back in the normal range and precipitation most of the week in the form of snow. Touring at the present time is more for the up than the down, but this is ok as the legs need to get conditioned before the real fun starts.
The big news it that there are now chairs hanging from the new Glory Ridge chair lift - sure it maybe only 9 or 10 but it's really starting to look like a chair lift and this gives hope that they will be up and running by the projected Dec 17 date. A good sight to behold - snow on the ground and chairs on the lift - not long now!
Happy turns.
