The ACMG Training and Assessment Program conducted the Apprentice Ski Guide exam in the Battle Mountain area of the central Selkirk Mountains. The following is a summary of ski and avalanche conditions during the past week.

Snowpack:
The March 30th MFcr was found down 30-50cm and produced moderate sudden/resistant planar results. The Easterly wind event on April 10th heavily affected the surface snow on all aspects in the alpine and exposed treeline. Sheltered pockets at treeline remained unaffected. All solar aspects, treeline and below have been affected by the sun. Cold temps through the middle of the week promoted surface faceting, yet the wind slabs remain firm.
Battle glacier probed in excess of 4m.

Weather:
The week saw low's of -18 in the alpine and day time highs of -4 degree's on Thursday afternoon. April 10th-12th remained very cold for this time of year. Freezing levels remained at valley bottoms. Winds were moderate to strong out of the East on April 10th-12. No new precipitation throughout the week.

Avalanche conditions:
Very little windslab activity noted even with all the reverse loading. Two Sz 1.5 windslabs on immediate lee features on Illusion Peak. Several natural cornice failures that did not pull slabs. One skier remote cornice failure resulted in a size 2.5 avalanche. Otherwise overall stable avalanche conditions in the terrain travelled.

Ski quality:
Ski quality started good on the 10-11th and deteriorated throughout the week with the continuous winds.
Groups skied steep rolls up to 40 degree's, open planar slopes on all aspects and glaciated terrain. Max elevation 2750m, min elevation 1450m.