Whistler Stoke and Conditions - 2010/11

[LeeLau]

160cms total snow depth Flute backside. New snow ~ 20cms.

[Maximus Farcisimus]

From what I've heard WB always has to provide backcountry access passes, part of their deal with BC Parks.
They don't like to advertise the one ride passes because most of the user's use them as day tickets

[powder11]

From what I've heard WB always has to provide backcountry access passes, part of their deal with BC Parks.
They don't like to advertise the one ride passes because most of the user's use them as day tickets

The new policy is that they will not start selling BC access passes until after AC has been done on the resort. Apparently too many people were skinning out through "blast zones" and the alpine BC access will be closed until resort AC is complete. The only way around that is singing pass.

[Clownshoe]

From this week's Pique.

Respect the blast zones

For a number of years, Whistler Mountain has allowed all-weather access through its tenure into Garibaldi Park. As the ski area has expanded throughout the years this access has followed various routes.

For a number of years these access routes were utilized by only a handful of die-hard backcountry enthusiasts, as well as various providers of avalanche awareness courses. During the past few years more and more people have been utilizing these routes. Unfortunately, during the past few years and in particular this season, these routes have been used to poach turns back within the boundary. We have also had people skinning up from the west side of Whistler during active avalanche control.

During avalanche control, Whistler Blackcomb's avalanche control zones become blast zones, and as such it is Whistler Blackcomb's responsibility to keep these zones clear and safe for both public and staff. We take safety very seriously at Whistler Blackcomb and have only decided to close this access after a lot of thought and discussion. These avalanche control closures will remain in effect until we have gained confidence in the public's respect of our closures.

Given the disregard some of the public are currently showing for Whistler Blackcomb's "Avalanche Closures" and the explosives work going on within them, we now have no choice other than to close the all-weather backcountry access routes through our tenure until all of the explosives testing that is, or could be, impacted by proximity to these access routes, is complete.

From this point forward, there will no longer be access to Garibaldi Park along the Encore Ridge Access any time that the avalanche sign-line on Whistler at the bottom of the Harmony Chair is reading "Closed". In addition to this, backcountry passes will not be sold on any day until all blast zones impacted by the Encore Ridge Access route have been cleared. These Park Access Closures will occur periodically during early season, during intense storm cycles, or during any periods of unusually unstable snowpack conditions. Whistler Blackcomb will do its best to open park access through its tenure as soon as it is safe to do so.

The alternate all-weather access into Garibaldi Provincial Park will continue to be up the Singing Pass trail from the base of the Whistler summer road. This route will remain open at all times.

We regret that it has come to this, but it is the only way for us to safely manage a situation that has otherwise become unmanageable. Please help us keep access through our tenure open by doing some self-policing in the community. Inform those who are less knowledgeable and or cavalier in their approach to our Avalanche Closures how their behavior affects us all.

Anton Horvath for

Whistler Blackcomb Snow Safety

[t.odd]

I had no idea until this article that it had become such a problem.

[Socialist]

really cuts into the available hours of daylight. Did some incident happen?

[Poz]

really cuts into the available hours of daylight. Did some incident happen?

no doubt, exactly what I was thinking.

It's a real shame but if safety is their concern they don't really seem to have another option.

It shouldn't really be that big an issue though on non-storm days.

[LeeLau]

Toured Up 7th - Blackcomb Gl - Spearhead Col - Spearhead Gl - Corona Bowl

Big slide on Deckers Main Face

Lots of people in Husume

Had to put the bootpack into Corona - lots of wallowing in facets

SW winds whipping the snow around

Slots on the Spearhead not yet completely bridged

[mikedski]

I heard a rumour that a few people ventured into to avi closure area while patrol was blasting. Blowing people up is probably something patrol tries to avoid. There are already signs of questionable judgement out there. Stay safe.

[filthyfrenchbum]

Khyber is a go with solid coverage and deep pow except on the very very last part.

Glacier chair opening Friday.

[nortonwhis]

anyone else getting some serious concerns about the snowpack this year?

thanks for the photos of decker, we were thinking of heading up spearhead but had a boot packer with us so opted for spankys instead. nice to see what it looks like up there. saw lots of lines out of DOA, any idea what its like getting in?

[postman22]

Does any know if the single ride backcountry passes are available yet? i called guest services a few times and each time i get a 'i'm not sure' from the dingo on the phone.

Hey X,

Not sure if this has been answered. You may want to look at the newest version of Pique Magazine online if you can find it.

So basically, patrollers discuss how a lot of people have been skinning up in closed areas while bombing has been going on. Ski patrol have finally had enough.

So the new policy is if any bombing is going on they will not sell the one lift up tickets. Therefore if you want to get one of these tickets you better show up a few days after the storm.

If I have screwed up the explanation, please ask ClownShoes for more.

[LeeLau]

anyone else getting some serious concerns about the snowpack this year?

thanks for the photos of decker, we were thinking of heading up spearhead but had a boot packer with us so opted for spankys instead. nice to see what it looks like up there. saw lots of lines out of DOA, any idea what its like getting in?

Rocky.

Decker slide looked cornice triggered. Also looked like storm snow. That's just guesswork from the view across the valley.

[djbooter]

What is the story weather wise for the next week - looks a little warm. Will this be problematic?

[roadgap]

I had no idea until this article that it had become such a problem.

People were obviously skinning burnt stew into harmony bowl last Saturday. Wondered if there would be any fallout.

Can't really argue with patrol on this one - blowing people up is not good. Too bad a few idiots ruined it for the rest of us.

[powder11]

What is the story weather wise for the next week - looks a little warm. Will this be problematic?

it looks perfect. we need the sticky-icky wet coast snow right now to ooze into all the nooks and crannies as well as load up the current snowpack. Hopefully the shear weight compacts the facet layers and grinds em out. save the blower shit for when we have one big ass layer for a base.

[TeCeBe]

Toured Up 7th - Blackcomb Gl - Spearhead Col - Spearhead Gl - Corona Bowl

Big slide on Deckers Main Face

Lots of people in Husume

Had to put the bootpack into Corona - lots of wallowing in facets

SW winds whipping the snow around

Slots on the Spearhead not yet completely bridged

Was Corona as wind affected as Husume?

[xyz]

Hey X,

Not sure if this has been answered. You may want to look at the newest version of Pique Magazine online if you can find it.

So basically, patrollers discuss how a lot of people have been skinning up in closed areas while bombing has been going on. Ski patrol have finally had enough.

So the new policy is if any bombing is going on they will not sell the one lift up tickets. Therefore if you want to get one of these tickets you better show up a few days after the storm.

If I have screwed up the explanation, please ask ClownShoes for more.

They were selling passes on Sat, at least to me anyway. The way things are going i hope this won't be the one of the last.

[ROCKS]

it looks perfect. we need the sticky-icky wet coast snow right now to ooze into all the nooks and crannies as well as load up the current snowpack. Hopefully the shear weight compacts the facet layers and grinds em out. save the blower shit for when we have one big ass layer for a base.

Ya, I agree... This is a best case scenario for sure. It's deceiving, cause you think all this snow has fallen, but there's still a lot of holes, and lack of coverage out there. Need some filling in to occur for sure, some nice heavy cement.

[LeeLau]

Was Corona as wind affected as Husume?

Not at all. Corona tends to less wind-affected. About 30cms of light storm snow overlaying a decent base at the top. Wind and solar affect in the bottom third (I gather Husume had substantial wind affect?)

[t.odd]

Not at all. Corona tends to less wind-affected. About 30cms of light storm snow overlaying a decent base at the top. Wind and solar affect in the bottom third (I gather Husume had substantial wind affect?)

nice shot lee

[gramboh]

Saturday was much much better than I was expecting, clear and crisp without much wind. Was surprised to get untracked in gunbarrels for 2 runs, and the lineup didn't get bad as most just went to Peak. Really nice Flute lap in the afternoon, the snow quality was great. 2 more weeks of weekend warrior status, can't wait for it to end.

[EASTERNr]

Im heading out to WB around the holidays, flying into seattle then driving up. Cant decide whether to bring the skis from back east, or demo.

Can anyone recommend a good shop where to get some boards for a few days/the week? Looking for something big and stiff, you know... jus the way the ladies like em.

cheers

[ROCKS]

Im heading out to WB around the holidays, flying into seattle then driving up. Cant decide whether to bring the skis from back east, or demo.

Can anyone recommend a good shop where to get some boards for a few days/the week? Looking for something big and stiff, you know... jus the way the ladies like em.

cheers

If you pop into the Prior factory http://www.priorskis.com in function junction (just south of creekside) I think they often have demo skis people can take out, not entirely sure. Worth a shot either way. You could probably get out on a nice pair of Overlords (big and stiff), my buddy just bought some, loving them so far.

Other than that, Can-ski might have some demo's, they have a location in Creekside, and in the Village. Basically just call around the various shops, and see what you can get.

[TeCeBe]

It was wind buffed at the top. Chalky most of the way down. The lower half was nice.