Travel conditions are fast and ski quality is decent in some places, marginal in others. In the alpine, there is comprehensive wind effect except for sheltered areas (Windward slopes are scoured to the Feb 3 MFcr, sastrugi and wind board are found elsewhere.). Good skiing can be found in sheltered terrain, with 15-25cm of facets on top of the Feb 3 MFcr. The softest turns are found on lower angle slopes, on steeper terrain the Feb 3 MFcr is quite apparent underfoot.
Recent cool temperatures have limited solar effect, however steep southerly (SE-SW) aspects have a breakable MFcr.
At tree line and below, the depth of the surface facets tapers from 20cm to 10cm over the Feb 3 MFcr. Again, lower angle terrain serves up the softest turns. There’s still lot’s of evidence of the late January/early February avalanche cycle. Loose wet debris and large avalanche debris is thinly veiled by the recent storm snow. Surface forms are generally facets with some surface hoar in sheltered areas below 1600m.
Valley bottom travel is reasonable, however creeks are open, surface roughness is significant and the Feb 3 MFcr makes for some slippery conditions in steeper terrain. On the high side the alders are reasonably covered.
Happy trails,
Conor Hurley
www.arctosguides.com
