Spent the 31st /Jan 1st at Callaghan Country Lodge (about 25 km SW of Whistler) skiing in the tree line (4500- 5500'). At the 4500' (Lodge ) Wx station there was 210cm yesterday late afternoon. At the 5200' snow plot there was 3-4 meters of snow; there is 120 cm of snow over the Xmass crust (which is 5cm thick) and about a meter of wet snow below all this. The creeks at tree line are still open but starting to ice over. 1 natural size 1 avalanche on a Nw aspect slope at 5700', and start zones on similar aspects are reactive to ski cutting. The fractures are running only in the new snow. Ski penetration is 50cm and the skiing quality is excellent.
It feels a bit more like winter!
Dave Sarkany
Ski Guide
Callaghan Country Backcountry Lodge