Coast Mountains Ski and Snow Conditions 2011-2012

Nick D · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1035 Location: Vancouver, BC

Sorry mekon I missed your f/p. But it was a great day. Very Happy

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

mekon · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 1156 Location: vancouver, b.c.

In case you think the snow is gone, here's Seymour (or its flanks) on Sunday. No skiing, but much arse-sliding.

Extra points if you can spot Daisy the dog:

Brrr....

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

Well, at least there one doesn't have to worry about this.

Snowpack is heating up with the unwavering sunshine. Spearhead was still good this past weekend, with good corn snow. One does have to watch aspect and elevation and of course take precautions, even in a big snow year. Radiational refreeze at night.

mekon · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 1156 Location: vancouver, b.c.

[quote="Rebob"]Well, at least there one doesn't have to worry about this.

That's what you think. I used to have 3 kids... Twisted Evil

That's an amazing thread you linked to...

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

Tis amazing. There are a lot of folks on those forums and a lot of info to be had. Just stumbled [seasonally appropriate term] on it myself.

Jordo · Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 94 Location: Vancouver, BC

Technically Cascades and not Coast Mtns . . . some seriously impressive descents out Chilliwack Valley way:

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1068578/1

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

Good snow conditions in the Corrie/Gentian area over the past three days. Corn in the afternoon and some fresh above 1400m from convective flurries. Base snow showing good stability, but some surface sluffing on all aspects at alpine elevations. Still lots of big cornices hanging about and some evidence of large slab releases on leeward convexities at 2000m in the past week.

Conditions will likely change with the sudden ramping up of temps to above normal. Nightly refreezes over the past four days were keeping things tight for the most part.

Good booting conditions for accessing steeper terrain for most daylight hours; crampons necessary for early, higher ascents. Light enough to climb without headlamp at 0345 hrs these days... Very Happy

Base from 200cm to infinity at 1800m and above. Streams and lakes starting to crack open from 1400m down. Skiing possible on continuous snow to 1000m on northern aspects.

highbrace · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

My friend and I will be in the sea to sky area next week and are wanting to ski something..Any suggestions on what is still holding snow, and what might be the best bang for our time...
I was thinking of heading up to the Anniversary Glacier and just getting some turns up there (never been) any other reccomendations??

Is Blackcomb alpine open and/or would it be worth to hike up into the singing pass area, are we allowed to do this?
Cheers
H-Brace

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

Blackcomb resort is open until the 28th of May. The Duffey is not too bad, depending on what sort of approach you are planning. Snow is melting at the main valley level.

The Spearhead is currently in prime shape. If you have the days it will still be in very good shape unless temps go way up. If you arrive after Blackcomb closes, it is still possible to skin up and do the route. Add a couple of hours to your estimated time to get to treeline.

XXX_er · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 7412 Location: Northwest B.C.

I went touring up at the local ski hill Hudsonsbay mtn last wednesday which is the eastern edge of the coast mtns and it was wind/snow/ full on winter at the top even got cold hands and there is still lots of base

mekon · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 1156 Location: vancouver, b.c.

Anyone been at: Cypress, Seymour or, better yet, Diamondhead very recently? Wondering if there is snow at the parking lots...I imagine Seymour is still loaded, but who knows.

Rebob · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2437 Location: Whistler, BC

Just a guess, but I'd expect the snow would start up the road a way from the parking lot. We were finding the snowline around 1200m on south slopes near Cheakamus.

highbrace · Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 12:56 am Post subject:

I went up Diamond Head to do some biking.
No snow in the lots, just loads of bikers on the Roads:)

stoked · Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Posts: 33

Pemberton Icecap is skiing well. We had fresh pow on Wednesday. On Saturday, corn. Access is good. Drove to the end of Rutherford FSR and skinned up from there. One and a half hours to the hut.

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46432

http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46407