Churchill

Dug a profile at 2100m on a North aspect. Below 1850m snowpack is unsupportive with a ski penetration of 40-60cm. Rain crust present at that elevation but thin and unsupportive. Noted Surface Hoar from 1450-1850m. Above 1850m a stiff layer was supportive to my weight, but a second party reported punching through and getting wumph and cracking up to 20m. Ski quality was OK for the first 150m than becoming unsupportive and hard to ski.

Big preserved surface hoar present at the bottom of the south Churchill Slide Path down 25cm below low density snow. Snowpack is around 45cm deep and unsupportive. We turned around at the bottom of the path due to lack of snow. The river crossing is in.

Lap on the south side and then a lap on the north side. Winds were calm to light and overcast for day. Snow is supportive for uphill travel but becomes denser at 1900m and above. Definitely wind effect (pressed) but we didn’t encounter a wind slab until the topping out of the trees. Some naturals have occurred on the upper slabs (size 0.5-1). Skiing well and no instabilities felt or noted today. Winds in the afternoon were picking up as forecasted back at the vehicles. The skiing is variable with turns between faceted powder and wind pressed density changes.

Went into this area with an assessment mindset. First was the creek crossing which is IN! Second was getting a baseline feeling of the snow on the lower skintrack and a quick pit at 1685m. 3rd was poking further up and setting a track but also getting some good observations. There was no evidence of, skin track feelings of or other feelings of instabilities. The snow Profile shown is from 1903m (one correction is the CTM 13 is down 34 from the top, not as shown on the profile) wind effect noted at 1920m and above. I dropped in at 1980m after getting some good obs and skiing was great until it mellowed out The crust is present at 1685m down about 36cm. I had results of CTM 13 down 20 (PC) on 0.2mm FC which was the same result as higher up just with a bit more snow on it. Low and behold, this is the depth that was a bit slippery on the skin track. I couldn’t get anything lower down to go at all. As soon as the slope mellowed out the snow was “grippy” halting momentum - maybe cold wax was needed? Other PSA’s: When you see the fork in the skin track just across the river, go right. It’s just gonna be easier. Also, the initial track is in per normal but I meandered left higher up intentionally working to get information on my way to the path before skiing.

Below 1700m crusty yet still skiable trending isothermal unsupportive very low elevations. 1700m to 2000m supportive winter like snowpack, 5-10cm new powder snow from thursday night made for great skiing. Stick to shady, NE aspects for best quality. Some windtransport at ridgetop suspect windslab present in high start zone. River crossings still intact but not for long.

Recent slab avalanche, size 2.5 above south slide path, approximately 200m across and 600m run.

Hey y'all its your friendly neighbourhood MIN reporter Brooke here with your weekly churchill update. HS 175 at treeline. A bit tracked out but still good skiing in the north and south paths. No signs of instability or evidence of natural avalanche activity in surrounding area. Surface hoar evident below tree line in sheltered locations.

Elev: 1470-2300m. HS 125cm at TL. SH widespread in sheltered locations up to 15mm. No new avalanches or signs of instability. Good skiing BTL/TL with some wind-affect in ALP. Variable and shallow snowpack with limited obs. in ALP kept our terrain choices conservative.

Drum like sounds and cracking limited to exposed ridgeline features at treeline where wind affected.

Riding quality would improve with more coverage. Tough trail-breaking in open areas below treeline.