Bluebird in the Norns

Sunshine and easy skiing powder made for a beautiful day of sled accessed touring in the Norns. In the shadow of recent instabilities we kept our objectives moderate, but the turns couldn’t have been any sweeter.

Chillaxing

Storms keep rolling in from the Pacific, in what is proving to be one of the wettest winters on record. As is common in March, conditions fluctuate widely, varying by elevation, aspect and the hour.  I’ve been obsessing over the forecasts, calculating how to be  in the right place at the right time, enjoying boot deep powder, carving groomers in the sunshine, and everything in between. With heavy rain pelting on the roof and depleting the snow banks my yard, chillaxing (a term currently favored by my nephews) with coffee is the call for this morning.

Record Cornice

Dropping in

The French Fry

Kirkup Glades

North Kirkup Pow

Ymir Lodge

Sometimes you get exceptionally lucky. Our group of 16 flew into Ymir Lodge after over a meter of new snow in the previous week, and 25cm the night before. Then the sun came out, temperatures held, and we shredded incredible powder lines for 7 days. The Rossland Range was visible in the distance, yet we were in another world, living the dream of ski-touring every day, eating and drinking like royalty, and enjoying the company of a great bunch of friends. Ymir Lodge isn’t quite as fancy as some of the much more expensive hut options, but it’s comfortable and spacious with everything you need, and the amount and quality of accessible terrain is hard to beat. I’m told there’s availability through March.

Switch-backing Joy

Ready to drop

Wildhorse Peak

Climbing North Seaman

Apres Ski

Well bridged.

The Lodge

Sunset

Top of the world, with Elise.

Our Crew

Long Qua

Qua Peak

Just the tip

Endless Lines

 

Lost Creek

It’s been over a week since we’ve had any fresh snow , so finding some preserved powder on Northern aspects was a bonus at Kootenay Pass yesterday. Travelling was fast and easy, so we covered lots of ground, linked up a few descents, and got to ski a new (for us) line into Lost Creek.  The Southern aspect back to the highway was a painless mix of crust and skiable schmoo, and we finished the day with beers courtesy of the generous couple who provided our hitched ride back to the Pass.

Lost Creek

Visibility

It seems like it’s been socked in and snowing most of the time lately. My regular Thursday ski touring buddy and I have achieved almost nothing this year, because every Thursday has been a powder day on the ski hill (with another one forecast for tomorrow). Not that I’m complaining. I’m totally satisfied lapping my favorite lines at Red in powder, but it’s not been conducive to blogging. Yesterday the sun finally came out, and it was a beautiful change.

Fairy Meadows 2016

Back from another incredible trip to Fairy Meadows. Exceptional powder skiing conditions (over 60cm of new snow fell over the week)  in alpine bowls, steep trees and pillow lines, with picture book views, showing around and getting to know a fun loving bunch of weirdos from all over.

Leaving the Vortex

  
Since early December life has assumed the quality of ritual, almost entirely focused on powder skiing in my local mountains. Now I’m headed into Fairy Meadows for a week, with huge terrain and snowpack to explore, and multiple storms headed our way.

  

Snow Returns

  
Just when the Christmas crowds seem to have tracked everything in sight, and El Niño snow pessimism was scratching at the door, the forecast has turned. Now calling for sustained cold temps and continuing  episodes of snow over the next week. Bring it on. 

Happy New Year

Skiing in the New Year, shredding powder in the Rossland Range.

Dane, topping put on Old Glory.

Powder!

Minus 16 at the truck. T-shirt weather in the alpine.

The rewards of an alpine start.

It’s a bit wind scoured up high, but mid elevations are pristine.

Dilly.

Skiing out 2015.

It seems the endlessly snowy weather pattern we’ve been enjoying has come to its inevitable end.  With high pressure entrenched, the sun is shining above valley cloud, cold temps and light winds are preserving deep light snow on all aspects, and unlimited powder skiing is there for the taking.

About to drop into the north face of Mt Elgood, earlier today.

Post skiing sauna.

Sun-dog from the Grey chair.

My nephews are becoming little rippers.

Laps on the Red chair.