Here is what I have found in the last week of being in the mountains around revelstoke.
Sapphire col today (nov 21), valley fog to about 1500m then high overcast above that. Light to moderate west winds. -1 at parking lot @ 0915 (1300m). -0.1 at 2700m @ 1430 (col). No moist snow observed today. High cloud kept out most solar radiation in that area. Above 2300m there exists a rather industrial temperature crust from the previous days melt freeze cycles due to temperature inversion. Skiable yet uninviting….. below 2300m, ski quality was fair to good with ski penetration about 15 cm (surface snow faceting). ski quality deteriorating below about 1650m due to poor coverage. Snowpack height on glacier 175, below 1650m 50cm to 20cm at 1300m. upper snowpack has settled drastically in the last several days due to warm temperatures. No signs of instability at any elevation, but would be cautious for any lurking wind slabs in the alpine or shallow and or rocky areas at any elevation. Glacier is still reasonably bony with several slots to negotiate.
Frisby ridge and Boulder mtn (monashees) and Sale mtn (selkirks), have had excellent conditions over the last week with only crusts present on steep south and some west aspects. Temperature inversions seem to have missed these areas due to elevation (all terrain below 2300m).
In general best ski conditions seem to be around tree line north and east aspects.
Have fun!!!!
Jeff Honig
Mountain Guide
Alpine Addictions
Box 1106
Revelstoke BC
V0E2S0
(250)837-2215 (home)
(240)837-1333 (cell)
jeff@alpineaddictions.com