Alpine Conditions

Sub-Alpine Conditions

Travel & Terrain advice:
We’ve had 20cm of snow, give or take, over the last two days, however there are still too many obstacles (bushes, rocks, fallen timber) below treeline in most places to link turns. In the Alpine the cover is better, but variable with ice and sastrugi on ridges and windward areas. Wind chill in the Alpine will be well below zero, and low cloud may come in at higher elevations. Be cautious out there - we need another good dump to make backcountry travel really viable.

Observations Summary 4th July

Snow Surface Conditions Summary

15cm of new snow on the surface started off light and fluffy, but became heavy late morning in north aspects. Shallow and icy on ridgetops and windward aspects, with deeper drifts of wind-transported snow on leeward slopes. Rocks, bushes and fallen timber exposed below treeline.

Some areas of deeper wind-transported snow, although north aspects became solar-affected. The new snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust. Below treeline the snowpack is still shallow with obstacles causing downhill riding to be pretty much un-negotiable.

Alpine depth: Unassessed
Snow condition: Light and dry
Sub-Alpine depth: Ranging from 10-80cm
Snow condition: Light and dry in the morning, becoming heavier 

Shallow with plenty of exposed obstacles. Sastrugi and ice at higher elevations.

Alpine depth: Unassessed
Snow condition: Ice and hard-packed snow
Sub-Alpine depth: 5-10cm
Snow condition: Ice and hard-packed snow

Weather Summary

Possible low cloud in the morning, clearing to the northeast. Winds SW 15-30 kmh with stronger gusts. A broad area of high pressure will dominate through the coming week.