2024/25 BC Southern Interior

[DanoT]

Early season and especially start of the season out of town ski trips are rarely worth the cost of getting and staying there. I usually wait until January for ski trips.

[Arctos Guides]

Full Update Here
Ski conditions have been fantastic lately—the snowpack has continued to settle and the temperatures have remained cool over the past week. Rogers Pass has received incremental loading and the Kootenays have received less snow under broken to overcast skies which preserved the surface conditions and settled the snowpack. There have been reports of surface hoar development in the past couple of days and near surface faceting, so take a minute to dig after the arrival of the new snow this week.
The height of snow is ranging from 1.2- nearly 2m in from 1700 and above. Below 1700m the HS tapers quickly with elevation. Rogers Pass is still showing only 32cm at the RPDC. Kootenay Pass has 102cm at 1780m. The big change over the past week has been the settlement of the snowpack, the 50-60cm ski penetration of the mid-November have been replaced by 10-20cm ski penetrations more recently. This means we’re no longer plunging deep into the snowpack with every turn.
While it seems like it‘s game on for ski season, early season conditions persist. logs, creeks and rocks are still thinly veiled and there is variable distribution in the alpine—particularly in windy areas. In the alpine in the Valhallas there is wide spread wind effect, which has scoured surfaces and loaded others.
Snowpack

Currently there is not much going on, there’s the Nov 7 MFcr down about 70cm and the Nov 16 SH down about 50-60cm with variable size and distribution. The Nov 16 SH is producing hard sudden planar test results. There are also wind slabs in immediate lee features. On steep south aspects below 2200m a 1cm 1F MFcr was observed yesterday, however it didn’t exist on SE or SW aspects.
Outlook

The blocking ridge of high pressure will persist for a couple more days until a low will push through beginning Wednesday. There is the possibility for Above Freezing Levels in the alpine today and tomorrow in the South Columbias, so pay attention to the temperatures if you're out in the alpine. Check out Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Weather Forecast.

[Arctos Guides]

Here's an update on what's going on in the Central Kootenays

[kootenayskier]

After weeks of incredible coverage and dreamy skiing quality in the local mountains, Red’s opening of a couple of the lower lifts this past weekend corresponded with howling winds and freezing rain to the top. Gnarly driving conditions, long lines, and terrible visibility dampened spirits somewhat, but the skiing by feel on the groomers was manageable. Colder temps, better (but still compromised) visibility, short lines and 7cm of new snow for Sunday improved things considerably, and once the new snow got skied into the old surface even the off piste was skiing well. The other 90% of the skiing terrain isn’t opening until next weekend, and backcountry conditions will be variable crusts and windfuck until we get some new snow, so lapping groomers and bumps on Red it is. At least we’re open.

[Cono Este]

Not a bad day in fernie, a bit warm, sticky snow.

https://youtu.be/GrIrAExIyic?feature=shared

[kootenayskier]

Full (all lifts and terrain) opening at Red today, 20cm of new snow, exceptional early season coverage, and moderate crowds. Good times.

[el hefe]

35cm at Silver Star and it pounded all morning. 7 pow laps before 10am. So good.

[Falcon3]

What's the word on dirtbag winter van camping around Red? Any off the radar sno-parks? Got a whole crew (6 adults, 2 kids, 3 dogs, all in 3 vans) coming up Mid-Jan and having trouble finding places to stay. Red Barn Lodge is where we've stayed before but they're booked out for the whole winter already. We're mildly successful 40ish year olds but are dirtbag skiiers, surfers, and mountain bikers at heart so open to any suggestions.

[fleaches]

What's the word on dirtbag winter van camping around Red? Any off the radar sno-parks? Got a whole crew (6 adults, 2 kids, 3 dogs, all in 3 vans) coming up Mid-Jan and having trouble finding places to stay. Red Barn Lodge is where we've stayed before but they're booked out for the whole winter already. We're mildly successful 40ish year olds but are dirtbag skiiers, surfers, and mountain bikers at heart so open to any suggestions.

Does Red not allow camping in its lots anymore? Last time we were there they had a designated lot for overnight camping.

[snoboy]

Yup, lots of vans in the parking lot. I think they may charge and have a limit on nights spent, but I don't know the details.

[kootenayskier]

https://www.redresort.com/getting-he...rnight-parking
Season’s passes are still reasonable, but otherwise Red’s gouging for everything these days. All F&B up 35% from last year.

[fleaches]

I'm going to be in Nelson for Christmas week (arriving Tuesday) if anyone wants to meet up and ski. Will be skiing ww & red and will have touring gear. Shoot me a message!

[Arctos Guides]

Powder Highway Backcountry Report

[nickinbc]

Interesting MIN reports from the RMR sidecountry. Skier triggered debris running close to the Greeley Bowl boundary fence and what must have been a very rough ride after a cornice failure above Highway Bowl.

https://avalanche.ca/mountain-inform...d-0a58a9feac02

https://avalanche.ca/mountain-inform...d-0a58a9feac02

https://avalanche.ca/mountain-inform...d-0a58a9feac02

[kootenayskier]

What a week. Constant top ups on an exceptional early season base and zero crowds making for more fresh lines than could possibly be skied. Life has been a glorious blur of snow blowing, powder skiing, and bleary eyed socializing. Merry Xmas to you all.

[El Kanone]

I live right at the base of Kootenay Pass and have been touring up there a ton. It has been legitimate powder skiing pretty much every day since mid November. With basically no avy concerns either. ( that’s probably about to change) Really really good. Looks like lots more on the way.

[el hefe]

Gorge was awesome yesterday. The road, not so much. Not plowed. Also, almost hit someone on the way down, they were not calling on radio.....

[Arctos Guides]

Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions Report

[alive]

Really appreciate these updates!


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Chugachjed]

Any of the Mags going to be at Red tomorrow? I’m making the drive up to shred! Looks like it should be pretty good!!

[D(C)]

Wife and I are planning a trip to RMR and KH at the end of Jan, and neither of us have Epic or Ikon passes. Any suggestions to get the best price on lift tickets?

[toast2266]

Wife and I are planning a trip to RMR and KH at the end of Jan, and neither of us have Epic or Ikon passes. Any suggestions to get the best price on lift tickets?

RCR card for kicking horse, if you're skiing 3 days or more. Doesn't work at revy though.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[Arctos Guides]

Powder Highway Backcountry Conditions Report

[teamdirt]

Shitty unexpected zipper crust on all aspects/ elevations as of today. Hopefully it cures itself early than later… see what this flat weather forecast brings to the table….

[Skeeze]

Question for the locals -- I'm headed to the area at the end of Jan/early Feb, have flights to Spokane, a rental car, and no plans other than to chase snow.

For places like Red, WH2O, Fernie, and Revy, do I want to have skins to access the common sidecountry zones, or do they tend to be sidesteps/bootpacks? The obvious answer is to bring the touring gear, but that does mean hybrid boots vs. my preferred alpine setup.