Coal Creek Fernie

Submitted by
n.lanaway
Observations date
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 01:00
Location
49.483480° N 114.916070° W
Reporting on
  • Snow conditions
Map for Mountain Information Network report: Coal Creek Fernie

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
OK
Snow conditions were:
  • Heavy
  • Powder
  • Wind affected
We rode:
  • Cut blocks
  • Mellow slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Sunny

Comments

Slope was ENE facing. Snow depth was 165 in this wind loaded pocket. Surrounding area had only 120 cms. The failure layer was well preserved buried surface hoar down about 50 cms on this wind loaded open slope. Below the failure layer the snow was fairly well bonded to several thin ice layers and the week basal facets were bonding well. The buried surface hoar did not seem prevalent in the areas East of Fernie. This was the only sudden collapse and whoomph we noticed but something to keep in mind if you wish to venture onto bigger slopes
Small low angle slope
Small low angle slope
Slab on top of buried surface hoar - sudden collapse
Slab on top of buried surface hoar - sudden collapse
Seemed like an isolated pocket of well preserved buried surface hoar
Seemed like an isolated pocket of well preserved buried surface hoar