It’s starting to feel like ski season, just remember your rock skis.
Alpine snow depths are fattening up in the Powder Highway Region; around Rogers Pass there’s 120-150cm in places, while the Central Selkirks its more like 60 cm. Similar alpine snow depths can be found around Whitewater in the Southern Selkirks.
Today in the Goat Range, there was an alpine inversion (overnight temps reached +3) coupled with sunny skies which induced a loose wet natural avalanche cycle to size 1.5 on steep solar rocky features. In areas traveled today, ESE-SSW aspects were moist down 10-30cm, in some spots the entire snowpack was isothermal. NE-W aspects were still holding dry snow. In sheltered areas, 5mm surface hoar was observed.
The big thing to consider if you’re itching for some turns is snow depths taper quickly with elevation. Approach trails and roads are going to be scratchy and alders will be standing tall. Seek out smooth terrain, as rocks are thinly veiled by the recent snow. All that said, there are turns to be had, but you’re going to have to walk a ways to get there and you’ll have to pay the price in P-tex on the way out.
Outlook
This next system should arrive relatively warm with freezing levels around 1000-1300m and slowly cool off over the week. Depending on the region there could be 30-70mm of water equivalent on its way, which could really kick riding conditions into gear. Here's a helpful link on how to interpret the MultiModel Ensemble.
If you head for the hills, make sure you do your own avalanche forecast, here are some tips. The public bulletins don't start until November 21. A lot of areas are below threshold, particularly at tree line and below. But smooth features, and wind loaded slopes have enough snow to produce avalanches. The new snow will probably be reactive on the melt freeze crust and the surface hoar/facets in sheltered areas. Going for a ride on a slope like the one above would hurt.
Trips and Courses
We still have a few spots left on some of our group trips and courses:
Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel
Member discussion