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| 24hr Snow | 0 cm | 7 Day Snow | 13 cm | Snowbase | 184 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Temp | -11 °C | Valley Temp | -5 °C | Conditions | Hard Packed / Nice Grooming |
It is March isn’t it ? I can’t believe how cold it is, or how cold the whole season has been. Sure is an unusual year. So much for global warming …..
I had another fun day bombing around on the groomers. I took up my carving skis, so I didn’t venture off piste much, but when I did, it seemed pretty nice too. It is so cold, that any exposed skin becomes frozen once you start moving, but the sun is so nice and warm, that once you stop, all you need to do is turn your face to the sun, and presto – instant warmth and relief. Still, bring back the good old -5 days !!!
I basically skied every zone on Blackcomb today (groomers) and found the conditions were fantastic (and almost identical) everywhere. The snow at the base is just as good as the snow on 7th Heaven. In fact, I preferred some of the lower runs, since they seemed to be holding up better (smoothness wise).
Still no lift lines. Most lifts didn’t even have (or need) a maze set up.
For most of the season, everyone has been worried about how good the Spring skiing will be, and how long the ski out to the village will last. Well, with all this cold weather, the snow to the valley is still going strong – as it just isn’t getting a chance to melt. The snow depth (base) is not fantastic, but good enough to ski to the valley without worrying about rocks. If this colder than normal weather persists, I guess the ski out will last a long time – until the end of April is quite feasible at the moment.
I’ve been recovering from my knee injury so I haven’t gotten out much, but I did manage to get out today. I too was on Blackcomb in the afternoon, but I tried to avoid the groomers. I was with someone who was able to show me around and I hit some cool steeps I’ve never been on before.
The snow off the groomers is great! I managed to go down Blackcomb Glacier and though there were a lot of bumps they were soft bumps and they were really easy to go through.
Also, I went down some of the crazy parts near the Coulouir (sp?), they were rocky, but some spots had great lines and the snow was beautiful.
I didn’t push it too much due to my knee, but since the snow was so soft I felt comfortable going down those steeps.
You BC babies need to get to Alberta! I boarded in -23 (without the wind) last weekend, and it was -31 in Jasper at 8:30 this morning. Still rode, and still had a blast. -11 does not freeze your face off, i promise.
I am traveling to whistler next week and the forecast says nothing but rain. can you tell me what is like to ski in that? can you ski in that? thanks!
“Nothing but rain”???
Seriously, what forecast are you talking about? Whistler alpine forecast says snow starting Friday and continuing until Monday. Weather network forecast (village) says snow through Wednesday.
It always snows a lot when I go out there. This year will prove to be no different.
I’m not seeing the rain either. In fact, things are looking quite rosy according to SnowForecast:
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Whistler-Blackcomb/6day/top
Next week is going to be good if this forecast holds up.
And don’t tell anyone.
And did I mention that forecast could change in a heartbeat? Weather is volatile in the coastal mountains, and that weather system could go either way. The most recent weather model continues to support that forecast though.
Nick, thanks for the report – its good to hear how your days go.
Ken, I should point out somewhere, that those temps are the highs for the day (and I don’t mention the Peak, which is normally colder). Also, while the last few days have had minimal winds, I think Tuesday it was around -30 in the alpine with the wind chill factor. Maybe we are pussies for complaining about that, but personally, its half the reason I live in Whistler – lots of snow with reasonable temperatures (normally).
Chrystal, like the others, all I see is snow for the next week – it might be a bit of a rain/snow mixture in the valley. However, the upper 2/3’s of the mountains will be snow (current forecast I have seen). Next week is shaping up to be a beauty