Weird winter
It has not been a usual winter around here. A shallow snow pack started of the season. A brief period of rain to high in the alpine, and then we were hit with two weeks of arctic air creating a steep temperature gradient in the snow pack. The snow pack became faceted and weak during this time. This condition appears to have affected most of the West coast of North America from Alaska to down in Utah. Most avalanche bulletins mention this weak layer. We were then hit with a couple good size storms which dumped up to 200cm in lee areas in the high alpine. A large avalanche cycle then occur ed during and preceding the storm. Now we have had all most two weeks of warm subtropical air that reached highs to 10 C in the alpine. Large natural avalanches are still running on the weak layers within our snow pack. A total of 14 avalanche fatalities for this year so far.. Not your typical Whistler snow pack.
On the mountain: (in bounds)
Blackcomb: Managed to get their high alpine going early enough that we got some good skier compaction on most slopes. Some of the areas (spankys and the Blackcomb glacier were to boney to open at the time of the big freeze. These areas remain closed because of avalanche danger. December 31st saw one local killed in Ruby bowl while unfortunately he was skiing alone at the time. The avalanche occured beyond the officially marked boundary all though this area is usually in bounds. Official report
Whistler: During Christmas we were able to hike to the peak, and some lucky locals got to do some skiing up there. All though the conditions were powder it was mixed with big boulders everywhere so nothing has opened officially on the Peak this year. Harmony managed to open New Years day. An hour after it opened all hell broke loose as two separate in bounds avalanches happened. The first directly under the lift was caused by someone hucking into a pocket which then ripped out size two. The second as far as people can figure occured within minutes of the first beyond the officially marked boundary although this area is usually in bounds. A lone snowboarder trigger a NE aspect in rocky terrain. The snowboarder was also killed and was found wrapped around a tree.Official report The peak chair, and symphony chair has yet to open because of avalanche concerns, and harmony is operating front side only.
A reminder to people ducking boundry ropes: When you go beyond a rope it means you are on your own, and should be equipped and knowledgable.
Link to Whistler Search and Rescue regarding safe backcountry travel.
On the mountain: (in bounds)
Blackcomb: Managed to get their high alpine going early enough that we got some good skier compaction on most slopes. Some of the areas (spankys and the Blackcomb glacier were to boney to open at the time of the big freeze. These areas remain closed because of avalanche danger. December 31st saw one local killed in Ruby bowl while unfortunately he was skiing alone at the time. The avalanche occured beyond the officially marked boundary all though this area is usually in bounds. Official report
Whistler: During Christmas we were able to hike to the peak, and some lucky locals got to do some skiing up there. All though the conditions were powder it was mixed with big boulders everywhere so nothing has opened officially on the Peak this year. Harmony managed to open New Years day. An hour after it opened all hell broke loose as two separate in bounds avalanches happened. The first directly under the lift was caused by someone hucking into a pocket which then ripped out size two. The second as far as people can figure occured within minutes of the first beyond the officially marked boundary although this area is usually in bounds. A lone snowboarder trigger a NE aspect in rocky terrain. The snowboarder was also killed and was found wrapped around a tree.Official report The peak chair, and symphony chair has yet to open because of avalanche concerns, and harmony is operating front side only.
A reminder to people ducking boundry ropes: When you go beyond a rope it means you are on your own, and should be equipped and knowledgable.
Link to Whistler Search and Rescue regarding safe backcountry travel.
