[MCR] Whistler and Duffey Area Conditions

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

The Candadian Mountain and Ski Guide touring course spent the past week skiing in the Coast Range. 

Whistler/Blackcomb Feb 1-3, 2016

Evidence of the Jan 28 rain event and associated natural avalanche cycle was widespread, with a supportive rain crust below 1800m and rugged refrozen debris on runs such as Husume, the Poop Chutes and Phalanx.   

On Feb 2 visibility was good, and numerous aggressive lines in the Blackcomb backcountry were skied with sluffing to size one. A large cornice fall in the Trorey Col did not initiate an avalanche on the underlying slope. 

A storm cycle began on Feb 3 with moderate to strong southerly winds, moderate rates of precipitation and increasing temperatures, with touchy windslabs developing near ridge tops. Cornices are growing rapidly. 

Since our last field day in the Whistler on Feb 3, significant snowfall and continued winds have likely changed conditions considerably. 

Duffey Lakes Rd - Marriot Basin and Cerise Creek Feb 4-5, 2016

Ski quality was very poor below treeline with 10-15cm of recent snow over the supportive Jan 28 rain crust. 

A significant storm began on Feb 4 with snowfall, moderate to strong southerly winds and mild temperatures. By early in the day on Feb 5 the wind affect was widespread, one huge tree had fallen over the approach trail to the Keith hut, and windslabs were cracking with ski traffic at 1900m and above. 

The early January SH layers were found down 1m and results on this layer in snowpack tests varied from resistant planar to sudden planar depending on location. 

Jasmin Caton
Conny Amelunxen
Kirsten Knechtel
Marc Piché