cur041213

Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:10
Sun and warm temperatures baked the highcountry over the past week bringing riders a taste of spring sledding to come. Lot's of great sledding as the warm temps rapidly settled the snowpack. Warm temps and solar radiation brings instability to the snowpack especially in the afternoon on all aspects but especially south and west facing. The snowpack has now undergone great settlement during this melt-freeze cycle and has consolidated the mid and upper snowpack and has brought the avalanche hazard down. Significant cooling has begun which will likely keep the CAA hazard rating down through the weekend. Forecast is for very cold nightime temps and cold daytime highs. Always keep your head up...common sense observations will keep you out of trouble. Loads of good safe sledding is out there to be had.
Monday, January 26, 2009 16:39
Cold and clear have dominated the landscape and although warmer temps and snow are forecast by mid week our skinny highcountry snowpack has once again taken cold north flow slap and facets dominate the surface and upper snowpack. Lot's of good sledding with good terrain choices. Although skinny for many...farmers continue to deliver riders to the FAT.
Monday, February 9, 2009 20:35
Great conditons the past two weeks and now...more snow being delivered over the past several days continuing through today and tonight...likely 40cm by morning. See ya' this weekend.
Monday, February 23, 2009 12:09
Little to no new snow the past couple of weeks...but it's been bluebird over the landscape here. Snowing lightly today with more forecast tomorrow. All trails are groomed and in good shape.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 13:11
Lots of big riding for farmers the past few weeks. It's gone from deep to deeper - cold to colder and back again as if spring is really coming. Loads of heavy spring flurries over the past few days pasting these hills with a meter or more of blinding white. Sleds are in deep while storm snows settle heavy on our seasonal snowpack. It's spring sledding full on so heads up as you navigate this new snow ocean and although settlement is good through the long term, as the spring storms pass through, it loads the weaker layers and creates instability especially with solar radiation until it bonds. Loads of good safe sledding area out there. Park in safe places especially when facing significant fresh snowfall and visit the CAA bulletins often.
Friday, April 10, 2009 14:22
It's spring riding full on so conditions will be variable from hard crusty snow through fresh flurries down into solar heated isothermic mush. However it's still winter in the highcountry. Sleds hook up like a mule going up a ladder - but it's the coming down that is the tricky part...good to pack ski brakes. For some it's head to the sky via the glaciers and icefields for others it the golf course but farmers will be riding for a couple of weeks yet.

Mountain riding is serious adventure. Those that are not prepared can become prey to the deep! Friends and family should be aware and get recreational avalanche training. Awareness and self rescue save lives!. See Zac's Tracks for courses and schedules.
Tired of traveling so far to find tracked out snow? Consider hiring a local guide.