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| New Snow | 0 cm | 7 Day Snow | 13 cm | Snowbase | 134 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Temp | -10 °C | Valley Temp | 0 °C | Conditions | Medium / Hard Packed |
I have been a bit slack lately, only managing to ski a few days. Which is a real shame because the snow has been awesome. Unfortunately, we haven’t had any new snow for a week, combine that with our unusually cold temperatures, and the mountains are once again taking on a hard packed surface. I was finding today I was often doing more of a ‘slide’ than a turn. So, it might be a case of back to the carving skis for a day or two.
While it is still great skiing right now, with no new snow in the immediate forecast, I fear the mountains will become quite solid this week. The holiday crowd of Valentines Day and the Presidents Weekend will be sure to help pack the snow even more.
That being said, it wasn’t crowded today, with short lift lines almost everywhere. I am not sure about yesterday, and presume it was a little busier.
It really is a different season, as we have had so many sunny days. It’s been great to have such good visibility, and I have really enjoyed skiing fast groomers. Also, the alpine temperatures seem to have been in the double digits almost all season (except for that crazy heatwave). We don’t normally get too many days below -10, but this year, it has been more often than not.
I can’t believe will still haven’t received 500cm cumulative snowfall yet !!
Anyway, the skiing is still fun, but I recommend trying out some nice carving skis and leaving your fatties at home.
The weather wasn’t conducive to leaving the area so we never got to Oboe.. But Friday and Sat we skied peak to creek via Big Timber several times each day and the trees to the South of that and were amazed at how good the snow was all the way to the valley.
(Memo to self don’t bother visiting Blackcomb again this year Whistler has far better snow coner and far, far fewer rocks)
I’ve been waiting for the Atomic Metron B5i to come down in price now that they have been discontinued, and sure enough this last week they have gone on sale. We picked up 2 pairs for Cdn$634 each with bindings which is a great reduction from the retail of 1400 odd.. So with the current lack of new snow we’ve temporarily retired the touring skis and are resigned to piste bashing.
Just got to work out how to fit the thick soles of my touring boots into those Neox bindings, adjusting the binding forward pressure to it’s max keeps the boot toe wedged in place but I’m sure the toe DIN is well screwed in the process…. (Why don’t modern bindings incorporate toe height adjustment? Although the DIN standard toe thickness is great in theory it just doesn’t work like that in the real world)
The Atomic 11 had a plate that could be removed and then a fritschi fitted fine, the plate on the B5 doesn’t do that though..
Im headin to W/B for the very first time on feb 26-march 5th. Does it look good for more snow out there or is it gonna be all hardpack?
I haven’t been up, but it’s ironic that the snow is hard because according to the Vancouver Sun and FIS it’s too soft for races. Can anyone confirm on deny this article?
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/story.html?id=1292013
The FIS PGS was meant to take place at Cypress Mountain, not Whistler as stated in the obviously well researched article!
from your previous experience what sort of state will the mountains be in in a months time?
has whistler missed its chance for big dumps adding to the snow base? leading to gradual depriecation in mountain quality as i am poppin over the atlantic for a few weeks at the back end of march and would love to ski sum pow!
cheers
Will be in town from Feb 20-26th. I little concerned as The Weather Channel is showing rain showers from Friday to Tuesday in the their outlook. Do you know if they are usually reporting on valley conditions for Whistler/Blackcomb or alpine conditions?
Thanks for the great blog!
To everyone who is worried about snow conditions that has trips booked to Whistler: Do not worry about what the weather is going to be like. Do not worry about what the snow is going to be like. It will be what it is – stressing about it is useless.
You will still have a good time. The mountains are huge enough that there will be good skiing somewhere.
Whistler is one of the few places where you could still have a good time even if there was no snow at all. Still lots to do if the skiing sucks.
Colin, cheers for the update – pity you didn’t make it out either. I have also found the Peak to Creek zone to be pretty nice so far.
Sounds like you got a good price for those Atomics! Nice groomer ski alright. It seems like all new on-piste targetted skis are getting ‘integrated’ bindings which are designed solely for a hard DIN and not the rubber sole. Does your touring boots have interchangeable soles ? That’s the way to go
Jeff, no idea about the weather in the future. From what I see and hear, we are not expecting anything for a while.
Nick and Liam, I was surprised at first reading Nicks comment, because I would expect the Olympic people to be very happy with the current conditions. Ski racers are crazy people though, and would want to make the snow even icier !!! So it makes sense they were talking about Cypress which is down at Vancouver, with warmer weather and lower elevations.
Jimbob, like I have said elsewhere, I have no idea. I am certainly surprised at the lack of snow so far, and would expect the ‘law of averages’ to deliver us a huge month of storms, but that doesn’t seem likely somehow….
Ryan, weather forecasts past a few days are highly unreliable – especially for Whistler it seems. The weather network only forecasts valley temperatures – with the alpine temps generally 5 degrees colder (seems to be more like 10 degrees difference this season). For an alpine forecast check out this page
http://whistlersnowreport.com/whistler-weather-forecast
Paul, you are right ! Regardless of our below average season, Whistler still offers some great skiing and is a wonderful holiday destination. It sure is a beautiful landscape, which is why I am so happy to live here.
Also, I must admit to be looking forward to summer for some biking, hiking, camping and the list does go on
Whistler is a fantastic place to be, year round.