Mt Whymper ski tour

Submitted by
Gary Millard
Observations date
Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 17:00
Location
51.224340° N 116.103070° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Mt Whymper ski tour

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Amazing
Snow conditions were:
  • Powder
We rode:
  • Alpine slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Sunny slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny
  • Windy
Avalanche conditions
  • Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

Comments

Skied up Mt Whymper on Saturday morning (April 20, 2024). The uptrack in the Chickadee Valley was icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon, on the way out. The north face of Whymper was mostly shaded and stayed frozen and dry while we were there (off the face by 2pm). The lower steep moraine had hard crust either at the surface or just under some powder. We boot packed up that part as skis didn't penetrate enough for the skins to stick. It was still frozen when we descended it at 2pm. The upper slopes were 4-8cm of powder over a firm base - the turns were amazing! No sign of snow movement, but the cornices over the final slope were in full sun and had us moving quickly through that area.
Started early to make sure we avoided the afternoon sun and warmth on the lower elevation snow
Started early to make sure we avoided the afternoon sun and warmth on the lower elevation snow
The turns on the upper slope were spectacular
The turns on the upper slope were spectacular
The lower slopes had very little ski penetration, so we boot packed up. The upper slopes were in great condition for going up and down.
The lower slopes had very little ski penetration, so we boot packed up. The upper slopes were in great condition for going up and down.