Sunnyside Chutes, Devils Punchbowl, Tablelands

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Hard

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes
• Sunny slopes

The day was:

• Cold
• Sunny

Bluebird day in the Tablelands so took advantage and went back to the Devils Punchbowl and skied the Sunnyside Chutes. After checking out the snowpack yesterday in the same area (see previous MIN report) we had high confidence in stability. Snow is variable and highly wind-affected overall. Larger lee slopes are well filled-in, smooth, and chalky, although extremely firm (Crampons and axe recommended for boot-packing). Although the slopes seemed quite stable, cornices are looking particularly threatening and so we avoided all slopes exposed to cornice hazard.

The snow stayed cold and dry all day where we were so hopefully sun-crusts will be minimal in the alpine and the incoming snow will bond. Fingers crossed, only time will tell!