Regional Summaries

The weather on the coast has been unsettled since last weekend, with 30-40cm of new snow accumulated in the alpine on Blackcomb Mountain. The new snow was wet and sluffing today, as you would expect this time of year. No slab avalanche activity has been reported, although it is possible with that much new snow. The new snow fell as rain below treeline, which has helped to melt away last winters snow lingering on the trails.

Conditions are currently suitable for both alpine climbing and skiing in the Coast Mountains, although you have to do your research and pick your objectives carefully to find out where the snow still remains. You can still expect to run into significant snow patches as low as 1300m (depending on aspect, tree cover and sun exposure), then continuous snow before you reach the alpine.

No really dramatic changes reported over the past week but the snowline continues to rise as do the rivers and the tick populations.

Forecast looks like a nice warm sunny weekend for the whole region. Still some corn snow skiing to be had but some walking will probably be required except along the Icefields parkway and some spots at Rogers Pass. Clear nights, early starts and careful terrain inspection and selection will be the key to getting some good safe turns in. In some ways unconsolidated moist snow at low elevations could be the biggest ski injury hazard.

This past week's little storms left most their load west of the divide. Avalanche hazard has risen and in much of the Columbia Mountains it is now Considerable hazard in the alpine, potentially rising to High with the next storm by Sunday. If the forecast strong SW winds come to the Rockies the avalanche hazard will spike there too as wind slabs build mass. As we all know, Considerable hazard is when the accidents seem to happen most, and as Steve mentioned last week this is about the right time of the year for the first avalanche incident -- so don't let it happen to you this weekend.