Emerald Slide Path

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Emerald Slide Path

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Good
Snow conditions were:
  • Deep powder
  • Powder
We rode:
  • Mellow slopes
  • Open trees
We stayed away from:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Sunny
Avalanche conditions
  • Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Comments

Great ski conditions from treeline to lake. Observed minor shooting cracks (<1 m long) and localized collapse of the storm snow while uptracking through the upper glades at climbers left of the main slide path. Reactivity was variable and suggestive of buried surface hoar. Cornices were developing on the sub-ridges visible from treeline, but didn't get a view of the ridge crest above the main alpine bowl. Observed debris from a size 2 that peeled off a cross-loaded ridge above treeline and piled up on a 30 degree planar slope at treeline. These observations and visible wind loading above confirmed our morning decision to avoid the alpine.