Whistler/South Coast/Duffey stoke and conditions 2016-2017

[The Tortoise]

Fortunately Ontario is in driving distance of some decent east coast hills. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

Were I to leave the only thing I would miss are the fresh water lakes in the Canadian Shield.

[gramboh]

When did Horstman t-bar open last season? Or did it? I can't remember.

The issue being glacier melt causing the last pitch to be too steep until there's enough snow built up (hence the snow making project).

Not a huge deal but helpful for busy Blackcomb pow days.

[TeCeBe]

When did Horstman t-bar open last season? Or did it? I can't remember.

The issue being glacier melt causing the last pitch to be too steep until there's enough snow built up (hence the snow making project).

Not a huge deal but helpful for busy Blackcomb pow days.

It did and it will again. I can't remember when though. Possibility in the new year? maybe?

Yes, that is pretty much the issue and the debatable solution (?). Thanks a lot global warming!

Maybe they send jong snowboarders up and once 1 in 5 make it they open if for the season. That's how I'd do it.

[paulster2626]

I think I would just stop skiing if I had to live in Ontario again (I served my two years already). Not worth the pain of gambling on one big trip "out west" each season. Probably become a roadie instead.

The best is when that one big trip finally comes and you blow out your shoulder on Day 2 @ Revy. Good times.

I'm just waiting for my company to acquire another one in BC so I can pack up the fam and move to north Van. One day. For now, VT is 'only' 8 hours away. And Glen Eden is only a 9 minute drive for me, and it's the best 240' you'll ever ski beside the 401.

When things get rough just remember: At least you're not Paulster.

[paulster2626]

Fortunately Ontario is in driving distance of some decent east coast hills. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

Were I to leave the only thing I would miss are the fresh water lakes in the Canadian Shield.

Lets assemble.

[nortonwhis]

Couple of shots from Fissile the other day. Made it to the bootpack about 12:30 I think. It was seriously sketchy without crampons. Second lap was better after the sun had been on it and it was down to rock in lots of places so much easier climbing


Banana was all time. Lots of sluffing,


Went for a second lap, couple of turns on a spine on the NW Face


Saddle was looking filled, summit looked like a nice 15cm of fluff on rocks, wraparound doable but sketchier than normal. Psycho looking not so psycho. The Lee Lau avi exit (sorry not sure of the name of that area) was looking bare still, but probably passable. Couple of sneaky holes on overlord that caught us all by surprise.

Late finish. Singing pass was slow but nicely filled in.

[raypruit]

nice work! thx for the beta

[ROCKS]

Yeah, great to hear it was all skiing well like that. Agreed on some of the boot packing being a bit hard, I was finding that in some other areas as well. It was so cold, that crampons almost would have been welcomed.

[paulster2626]

Love the sky in that last photo.

[t.odd]

pretty awesome monday out there, definitely a busy start to the holidays, but man the pow was deep and light!

[gramboh]

Should've done my xmas week off this week instead of next from the looks of things (and crowds to come)... oh well, hope you guys are enjoying it up there.

[raypruit]

the locals continue to deliver!

[MikeyG]

Cant wait for my trip in mid january. Keep the storm flow coming. No sign of a blocking pattern yet...No wammies No wammies

[t.odd]

found some decent pockets here and there today

[LeeLau]

Yesterday. Scattered clouds but nice wx. Good conditions in the Whistler Backcountry. Lots of wind affect on exposed slopes, trees skied well. Singing Pass is in awesome shape. Thanks Peter Morin and Rob M$8&8in



Today quite different. 10cms new. S1. Temps -5 to -7. Winds gusting 30 - 60kmh from SE and S. Foot pen still balls deep. Ski pen 20 - 30cms

Of note - singing Pass still skiing about as well as ever seen

[Two06]

Hortsman T-bar finally opened around late Feb/ March last year

[nortonwhis]

Hortsman T-bar finally opened around late Feb/ March last year

Think it was before that. I blew my knee out early feb and it had been open before that i think

[raypruit]

how have the holiday crowds been? thinking of finally leaving the north shore sometime this week.

[LeeLau]

how have the holiday crowds been? thinking of finally leaving the north shore sometime this week.

Its not been bad actually. So much is open everyone spreads out

[raypruit]

Its not been bad actually. So much is open everyone spreads out

Good to hear, thanks. Looks like Friday might be the day. With our dollar in the crapper, I thought the place would be overrun with yanks

[gramboh]

Such great skiing lately and more to come. Got a late start today and the village gondola line was insane by 9am, singles took maybe 20-30min but the main lineup looked like fresh tracks at 7am on a weekend powder day, easily 1+ hour. Lin were fine once you were up on the hill. Start early and head back to the city a bit early (or later) if you can as traffic has been bad leaving the village at 3:30-4.

Made it out to Cowboy today, some wind effect and loading at the top but did not see any results. Best skiing was backside of Oboe. Singing Pass still in awesome shape especially the groomed run-out past the bike park.

[raypruit]

thanks for the update. i'm heading up tomorrow. planning on leaving van at 6, out by 3.

my friends always joke about this, but is it actually possible to hire a private "lesson" for a group for the sole purpose of cutting the line? how much would that be? i'd pay $30-40 to be able to cut to the front of every line on a sunny pow day.

edit: just found out the cheapest group lesson is $800 split between 4 people. that's a bit steep. fucking whistler, of course your group lessons are fucking $800

[gramboh]

I wasn't up today. Bets on Whistler alpine opening tomorrow? Looks like it's already clearing and wind dying down.

[raypruit]

i think it'll open. based on the fact that i'll be there.

[paulster2626]

thanks for the update. i'm heading up tomorrow. planning on leaving van at 6, out by 3.

my friends always joke about this, but is it actually possible to hire a private "lesson" for a group for the sole purpose of cutting the line? how much would that be? i'd pay $30-40 to be able to cut to the front of every line on a sunny pow day.

edit: just found out the cheapest group lesson is $800 split between 4 people. that's a bit steep. fucking whistler, of course your group lessons are fucking $800

How much for just a half day?

You'd likely want the Extremely Canadian guys anyway - they go to the good spots. Wait - how much for one of them as a "guide?"