Connaught/Lookout Path

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Connaught/Lookout Path

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Good
Snow conditions were:
  • Crusty
  • Hard
  • Powder
We rode:
  • Steep slopes
We stayed away from:
  • Alpine slopes
  • Convex slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Cloudy
  • Foggy

Comments

Found surprisingly decent skiing in the Connaught/Lookout slide paths today. Supportive crust up to 2000m+ where it was still nearly 10 cms thick and just punchable with a pole basket side down. About 15-20 cms of fresh and non wind affected snow covered the crust at 2000m and made for good and fast skiing that even provided a few faceshots in the slightly more loaded features where pockets nearly 30 cms deep could be found. There was very little snow on the crust below 1700m. The Connaught Path had avalanche debris mostly confined to gullies in the lower part and a smoothish avalanche track extending almost wall to wall just above the bench looker's left of the Y. This most likely dated back to the March 18th widespread cycle and seemed to have started near the very top of the path. Other than for a few specific features, the Lookout Path had not slid and provided good skiing the whole way down on a thick, smooth, supportive and edgeable crust that was just starting to brake down on the surface. We did not venture much above 2000m as the March 18th crust was getting thinner (less stable), there was likely more wind affect/loading and the visibility was reduced. We did not observe any shooting crack in the 15-30 cms of new snow found at 2000m, no woompfing, no recent avalanches or any other signs of instability. Of note, the debris from the avalanche that has come down the Stone Arch (bridge) slide path on March 18th is very impressive! Size 3.5?