Snowpack and ski conditions

Mountain Conditions Report

<p>Finished up 4 days of skiing and instructing in the Slocan Range. </p> <p>Jan 31 to Feb 2 saw 30-40cm of low density, new snow fall on a buried surface hoar layer (Jan 30th) which was unreactive to skier traffic as it had yet to form a slab. We did see reactivity on the Jan 10th surface hoar / melt freeze layer, producing moderate sudden planar and ECT-P results.<br /> Feb 2nd saw moderate to high SW winds loading N to E aspects which produced a widespread avalanche cycle including shallower windslab avalanches to size 2, cornice failures and persistent slab avalanches to size 3 with crowns up to 1.5m at treeline. These were observed on West and North Aspects, 1800-2100m<br /> We stuck to protected low angle terrain, avoided shallow spots and made conservative decisions which resulted in excellent “blower” skiing on West and North East facing aspects.<br /> Additional precip today increasing hazard.</p> <p>David Bryan<br /> Apprentice Ski Guide / CAA Professional member<br /> Summit Mountain Guides</p>