Surprise Pass

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Surprise Pass

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy

Comments

Surprise Pass - Found no signs of instability. Some isolated wind slabs on the N aspects - more confined to steeper immediate lee terrain - easily avoidable. Lots of facets below the firmer layer ~15cm below the surface - of which didn't seem to be a cohesive slab thanks to the cold temps lately... -6c at the pass, a bit of an inversion since it was -8c on the lake. Calm to light winds, very light flurries. Sun was trying to come out, a bit of blue sky at times. We were able to skin all the way to the pass without bootpacking. Lots of tracks from the pass, poor ski quality until half way down where we found some OK skiing, but this is not a fresh powder stash at the moment. A nice day out!