[MCR] Whitewater slack country Kootenays

Nelson area snow fall amounts seem historically low for this time of year.

Whitewater ski resort is reporting 78cm at the top of the Summit chair and the Silver King chair is not yet open.  I poked my nose out into the openings of the Goat slide path and found that the 20-25cm of low density snow that sat over the Nov. 29? rain crust in the trees had slabbed up or almost blown away completely.  HS was in the 50 – 60cm range with well developed facets that reminded me of a typical Rockies snowpack.  Another crust sits about 30cm off the ground.

I found 10 good turns at ~1950m in a tree sheltered area where the old wind slab was supportive beneath new snow.  After this the thin breakable crust made for challenging skiing.

 

Coverage looked sufficient on the Whaleback of Evening Ridge but the low elevation alders were so exposed, it didn't seem worth the trip.

 

Praying for snow,

Shaun King

Alpine Guide / Asst. Ski Guide