Copper Hut Observations

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Deep powder

We rode:

• Mellow slopes
• Open trees

We stayed away from:

• Convex slopes
• Steep slopes

The day was:

• Stormy

Avalanche conditions

• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.
• Rapid temperature rise to near or above 0°C or wet surface snow.

We spent this past weekend (Jan 30 - Feb 1) at the Copper Hut in the Bonnington Range arriving at 14:00 Saturday and leaving at 10:00 Monday. We estimated snow accumulations throughout our stay at 35 cm. Trail breaking was difficult with ski penetration averaging 25 cm each day. Freezing levels were observed to rise mid-day Saturday and Sunday, with freezing rain occurring Sunday from 11:00-12:30, leaving a widespread 1-2 mm breakable rain crust that was subsequently buried.

We experienced whumphing and cracking each day on a range of terrain features including ridge-tops and low-angle terrain from approximately 1700 m to 2200 m. This, combined with the forecasted avalanche conditions kept us away from slopes of consequence and any overhead hazard.