The ACMG ASGE spent the last week on the coast. On the Duffey Lake road, candidates and examiners skied mainly in the alpine and on glaciers in the Cayoosh, Anniversary, Matier, and Tszil area. Other field days were spent in the Blackcomb backcountry.

We enjoyed mostly sunny conditions with good spring diurnal fluctuations. Trace of new snow over the week. Freezing levels varied between 1400m to 3000m. Overall skiing was better earlier in the week with North faces holding cold snow. As the week progressed, a melt freeze crust developed on all aspects and elevations and we started to target corn snow for best ski quality. Recent drop in freezing levels has resulted in a decrease in ski quality.

Generally low avalanche hazard over the week fluctuated with daytime warming and solar input. Managed problems included cornice in the alpine/treeline and wet loose/slabs at mid to lower elevations. Our greatest hazard encountered was slip and fall, with firm surface conditions.

Glacier coverage in most areas is over 3 meters, with the exception of the Matier toe, where HS varied to as little as 150cm in some places. Below treeline travel is becoming very challenging. In the Duffey, travel BTL is limited to hiking on summer trails, with the exception of well-compacted FSRs. Micro spikes are a very useful tool.

Whistler Mountain lifts are now closed for the season, as are the Showcase Tbar access and Sunset Boulevard egress on Blackcomb. Best access to the Blakccomb backcountry is via 7th heaven boot pack. Egress from backcountry is via 7th Heaven chair which closes at 3PM.