Big Tree nice ski

Quick report

Weather

cloudy, windy

Ride Type

convexSlopes, denseTrees, mellowSlopes, openTrees, steepSlopes

Stayed Away

cutBlocks

Riding Quality

good

Snow Conditions

heavy, powder, windAffected

Avalanche Conditions

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We ventured up toward Big Tree Peak today, a bit of an access assessment and baseline snowpack observations. Snowpack height here is similar to other parts of the Island, with 85 cm of well-settled storm snow sitting on our wet basal layer at treeline. The surface had become moist down 5 cm from daytime warming, but a rain squall as we loaded up to go home spells out a wet/crusty future for the surface tomorrow. We were able to push out More Eatery sized cinnamon bun pinwheels on steeper slopes, nothing that would entrain additional snow. Could the light rain have taken it up a notch? We're a bit doubtful. As for access, the Venus Main all the way up Bigtree creek seems like the best bet to avoid wind effect on the roads (which isn't too bad yet) one drainage east. Both roads now extend farther that satellite imagery suggests.