Fraser Chutes

Riding quality was:

Good

Snow conditions were:

• Deep powder

We rode:

• Mellow slopes
• Open trees
• Steep slopes

We stayed away from:

• Alpine slopes
• Convex slopes

The day was:

• Cloudy
• Stormy
• Warm

Avalanche conditions

• Slab avalanches today or yesterday.
• 30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.
• Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Nice day out at Fraser Chutes that required a lot of work to get there. Approximately 30 to 40 cm new snow sitting mainly a crust/facets combo. Snow is unconsolidated and since there hasn't been much loading so far, lots of open creeks, hole, trees etc to deal with. It seems like the storm came with not much wind as there was only minor evidence of storm on slab on leeward north facing slopes. Couple size 1/1.5 were observed (likely same as in other min report) in steep north facing slopes below ridges near 1100 m. Crown width estimated at 50 m, running 100 m.

Climbed to about 1300 m and only notice localized whumpfing mainly near obstacles. The lack of storm slab was somewhat surprising but allowed for great turns into the open chutes. Approximately 1m of snowpack at that elevation. The ski out was.....interesting.

Overall a great start to the season and this series of storm is finally bringing much needed snow to low elevations. It will be interesting to watch how this new snow bonds to this crust/facet combo. I suspect that if winds pick up it will become touchy for a little while out there.