Storm riding

Map for Mountain Information Network report: Storm riding

Snow conditions

Riding quality was:
Amazing
Snow conditions were:
  • Deep powder
  • Heavy
We rode:
  • Dense trees
  • Mellow slopes
  • Open trees
We stayed away from:
  • Convex slopes
  • Cut blocks
  • Steep slopes

Information

The day was:
  • Stormy
Avalanche conditions
  • Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
  • 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Comments

Tonnes of new snow overnight - measured 15cm over the groomer track from last evening. Much more off trail. Foot pen past my waist.

Couldn’t see too much so stuck to the trees. Remote triggered 2 x size 1 storm slabs down about 45cm on east aspect around 1650m. These were on some convexities (approx 35 degrees) so we decided to steer clear and remain in low angle trees and get good and stuck.

Did not see a lot of evidence of wind but limited BTL today. Was coming down S1-S2 all day and very poor visibility.

These remote triggered slabs were on well used slopes so it will be a good indicator once the storm lifts to be cognitive even in the regular riding areas where we think these persistent weak layers may not exist due to tracks. If it’s steep enough to slide, it probably will.