Super slope east glades

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Crusty
• Powder
• Wind affected

We rode:

• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Alpine slopes

The day was:

• Sunny

Early start with a calm, warm climb up Tryst. Wind picked up at the ridge top and it started to snow lightly (s-1); we could see the predicted storm coming. Went straight to Super Slope after peeking down Tryst chutes (looked good line there were still fresh lines). No evidence of instabilities on the climb.

As we started to hit the clearing we noticed the affect of the wind on the snow. We checked the snowpack (pit) and found layers of wind slabs. Soft snow (4f) about 15cm the “sandwiches” of layers +/- 10cm thick. Non reactive and consistent density (1f). You could “pull” layers apart.

Did a ski cut on first opening. No result but it was wind hammered. Further west was wind scoured and it looked thin. Decided to retreat back to the glades and found much better skiing. About 15-20 on a bit heavier snow but remarkably “light” on the south facing slope. A bit of slugging of the loose snow on the steepest pitches.