Haines Pass Dec 11-13

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, sunny, cold

Ride Type

steepSlopes, sunnySlopes, alpineSlopes, mellowSlopes

Riding Quality

amazing

Snow Conditions

powder

Nice weekend out at Haines Pass. Like everywhere else in Southern Yukon and BC border regions the snowpack is shaping up very well. Average snow depths at the road exceed 1m (above 900m elev) and creek beds are mostly filled in. Snow depths around 1500m are in the 1.5m to 1.8m range on average (likely more in sheletered north zones). Skied only sunny aspects, southwest to southeast but good vsibility for the most part. There was between 10 and 30cm of nice powder undisturbed by wind on all aspects with only exposed ridges showing signs of wind effect. Below this the snowpack generally felt strong although some interfaces between wind slabs were seen in some places. Extended column test at 1500m on south aspect in an area further inland yielded a hard resistant planar failure 45cm down (ECTP 23 RP 45). Suspected interface facets below 4F windslab. Widespread surface hoar as of sunday afternoon as a result of clear and fairly calm winds. 4 to 8mm thick.

Snowpack

Depth

150

Obs Type

summary

Site Aspect

SE, S, SW

Test Fracture

resistant

Site Elevation

1500

Ski Penetration

15

Test Initiation

hard

Foot Penetration

45

Sled Penetration

30

Test Failure Depth

45

Site Elevation Band

alp

Surface Conditions

newSnow

Test Failure Layer Crystal Types

facets