Metal Dome

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Hard
• Powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Alpine slopes
• Mellow slopes
• Open trees
• Sunny slopes

We stayed away from:

• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Cold
• Sunny

Went up to Metal Dome to check out some early season ski conditions and hang out with a close friend. Conditions were generally fairly marginal on south facing aspects at all elevations, with BTL having below threshold conditions for both skiing and avalanche hazard. TL was okay in sheltered locations, but a thin trap crust is forming in sunny locations. ALP areas were very wind affected, with 20-30cms of wind pressed snow bridging a lot of obstacles above the ground. It is definitely still quite low coverage, so exercising caution and skiing slowly to reduce injury is most advised.

The best skiing/riding conditions existed on shaded & sheltered ALP features on glaciers. 10-15cms of light, faceted new snow sits above a variety of surfaces. The snowpack depth is still quite shallow, so glacier conditions can be quite hazardous. We brought and would recommend bringing glacier gear and know how to use it. The Metal Dome glacier is generally non-complex glaciated terrain, with most crevasses fairly easy to navigate around and avoid with prior glacier experience.

Feel free to get in touch with me about how to gain these skills and/or if you have any further questions about conditions: zachary.wentz@gmail.com