ACMG Mountain Conditions Summary for the Rockies and Columbia Mountains issued May 14th, 2009
Winter still rules in the Rockies and the Columbias. It is snowy toonie-sized flakes in Banff this Thursday evening, the third day of snowfall in all areas. The snowline is staying just above valley bottom and slowing the transition to spring and summer activities. The story is similar in the Columbia Mountains, with reports of 25 cm of snow on the Illecillewaet Neve mid-week and the snowline hovering around 1500 m.
The forecast for the Rockies is for it to be cloudy on Friday with some sun on the weekend before rain sets back in for Monday. Further west in the Columbias there is not even that glimmer of hope with clouds and showers forecast for the next several days.
This all means that we may need to be thinking ski caps rather than hard hats. Snow coverage and ski travel remain good in alpine terrain although if you need to start your travels below 1800 m you might be walking to get to it. Roadside skiing is still available (barely) at Bow Summit, K-Country in the Burstall Pass area, Sunwapta Pass (Columbia Icefields) and at Rogers Pass. Once you're in the 2200 m range expect decent coverage. Ski quality will be variable, it may be good in the short term at high elevations and especially north aspects but for sure as soon as the temperatures get to it you will be dealing with mashed potatoes or worse. With above freezing temperatures expect plenty of loose snow avalanche action on all steeper slopes. It will take a couple of days of melt-freeze cycling to get good travel on crusts again.
Opportunities for other mountain activities will be limited. Lift skiing is still an option for those so inclined, and it is Slush Cup weekend. Climbs on snow and ice will have a lot of exposure to large sluffs of the new snow through the weekend and will need to be given a miss. Rock climbs will be soggy until the sun comes out - expect some low elevation sunny crags in the Rockies to dry out by Saturday afternoon if the forecast holds true and Sunday could have a wider variety of options. But remember, if you can think of a place to go chances are the bears have thought of it too - they are out in force in all the ranges (we saw a nice griz at Bow Summit on Wednesday).
There is a reason that the mountains are quiet at this time of year - it's mud season and anyone who can is hightailing it for drier and warmer climes: Skaha sounds inviting with a decent forecast. If you can't do that this weekend it will be worth investigating low elevation rock climbs (wear your lid), a flattish glacier ski tour or a tall cold one in front of the flatscreen.
Mark Klassen
Mountain Guide