The ACMG training and assessment program just wrapped up a week of an apprentice ski guide assessment exam on the coast in the Sea to Sky region. Here is what they found.

Terrain

With stable avalanche conditions and sunny high pressure days we were able to push into bigger terrain,up to 45 degrees , high up on the glaciers in the Fitzsimmons range and some classics in the Duffey. Including Slalok, Matier shoulder and Cayoosh mountain.

Terrain below tree line provided challenging travel conditions but once you reach high alpine North faces above 2000m we were rewarded with settled dry snow.
Glaciers in general have good coverage, ranging from 200-300cm+ and once you reach those open spaces travel is fast and efficient.

Our biggest concern throughout the week was large overhanging cornices and below tree line travel. No new natural cornice falls were observed and some tactical approaches below tree line were needed but allowed us quick access.

Hazard trend

Our hazard rating stayed low with almost perfect spring diurnal coastal skiing. We kept on the lookout for isolated wind slabs in the high alpine, and the breaking down of surface crusts with afternoon warming and solar input.

Weather April 15-20

The week started with broken skies, light to moderate SW winds and treeline temps of -2 to -5. On Tuesday April 16th we saw the only snowfall of the week with convective clouds bringing a trace of new snow. Winds shifted from SW to the N and remained in the light to moderate range. Temps remained cool. The second half of the week was dominated by a blocking pattern that brought clear skies, light N through SE wind, and cool alpine temps. Freezing levels ranged from 1000m at the start of the week up to 2100m by the end. The final day, April 20, saw increasing clouds and moderate southerly winds by 4:00pm at Cayoosh Mountain with the incoming weather system.

Avalanche activity

We saw no new natural avalanche activity over the week due to cooler weather trend and stable snowpack conditions. We saw older debris piles from wet loose, isolated windslabs and cornice failures through out the Duffy lakes and spear head region. We encountered one skier controlled size 1 windslab on a north aspect at 2500m on steep terrain at the end of the week.

Scott Flavelle MG
Matt Peter MG
Evan Stevens MG

Candidates:
Jesse Andrew James Scotland, Kyle Long, Luke Groenewoud, Rowan Joseph Roy Morris, Vincent Genannt, Jason White