Gorge 18

Skied steep trees and supported bowls on a variety of aspects ( W to NE) from 1940m to 1500m. Excellent skiing conditions. A necessary awareness of PWL in the snowpack necessary. But with sensible terrain decisions can have an amazing day out. Some of the best turns of the year so far.

Clear day that then gave way to scattered cloud. Some pinwheeling observed but consistent colder temps and high pressure appear to have minimized solar effect on new snow so far. Calm morning shifting to light W wind in afternoon. Localized blowing snow at ridgeline.

Tested on steep slope at 1940m on W aspect below summit at Gorge 18km. Riding conditions were excellent but the PWL are very present and have a potential to rip deep. Sudden planar CTM15 down 55 on rain crust facets. On second test SP CTM 14 down 90 on facets. This appeared consistent at higher elevation throughout the day. With a large settling whump on slight convex roll at 1800m on N aspect later in the day. Very much the time for sensible terrain decisions even though the riding is amazing.