Pemberton-Whistler-Squamish
April 11, 2016
Slackin! Just want to apologize for slackin’ on these snow reports the past little bit. I was out of the country and full on busy, no other excuse. That being said it has gotten so darn warm the past week and a half that access is becoming very tricky in some spots. The creeks are wide and gushing, the snow lines are creeping up very fast up those mountains making it hard on the trucks to drive so high to unload. Freezing levels have been well over 2000m and some days even over 3000m for the past week and a half and sun has been shining real bright baking all that snow. Serious melt freeze crusts have been forming with such big temperature changes from day to night. Be aware and travel safe especially as the day gets later and temperatures rise. It’s spring, get out there for the last couple days that are left, bring sunscreen and travel far in this perfect traveling snow!
Always check the avalanche reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad if you want to read about any recent avalanches out there, check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Rutherford – Grooming has stopped for the season. We are parking at about 8km now with dirt patches for a bit. Access is becoming quite tricky with exposed creeks in the cross ditches. Good luck and be ready for an adventure going up! hehe
Hurley FSR –Parking is now at about 19km. Some dirt patches to deal with. Be respectful of others and be smart about where and how you park.
Brandywine – Parking at about 5km. Some dirt patches to deal with seeing some of the snow is still too thick to drive a truck through.
Brohm Ridge – She done!
This will be the last ride report of the season. If you want details on access feel free to email me at info@sheshreds.ca and I will gladly give you an update. I still have a couple days left in me, don’t really want it to end quite yet!! Thanks so much for checking in all winter for these reports and I will happily be bringing you the scoop next season again! Have a great summer!
– Julie-Ann
March 24, 2016
Tyler Kraushar getting some pow at about 2000m on Tuesday March 22 up on the Pemberton Icecap
I just wanted to start off this ride report by sending my condolences to the family and friends of Brent Cawley who lost his life up the Pemberton Icecap last Saturday. May you Rest In Peace, shredding those fluffy white pow clouds in the high mountains! Please be aware that glaciers are more dangerous than ever with global warming happening. The crevasses, moulins and creeks are opening up more than ever. Please always look in front of you and travel at slower speeds on glaciers. Take a crevasse rescue course. Please read the Rutherford update below for more details on the location of the moulin so no one else goes into it.
The moulin up the Rutherford has now been marked off. Be aware there are many more opening up this time of year and to always look ahead and travel at slower speeds on the glaciers.
March Pow Madness has come to a mellow halt. The snow started to get good at about 1900m on Tuesday, but the freezing levels have dropped since then with new snow falling! About 15-20 cm has fallen in elevations higher than 1300m the past couple days, and it is sitting on very settled spring snow. Expect to see some storm slab action with this new snow in higher elevations. Freezing levels are expected to be sitting between 1000m and 1500m between now and the weekend. Friday is looking like the day to get out with the most sun, then the clouds come back. I am hoping for another April dump like we got last year!
Rutherford – The moulin (a big hole on the Appa Glacier stretch before the gas drop) is located at 50°20’43.07″N, 123°10’41.02″W (location provided by Mark Selin) and it has been marked off with poles and flagging tape. Parking is at approximately 2km up the road and grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when the snow turns to shmoo. A couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
Moulin on the Appa Glacier. Information provided by Mark Selin.
Hurley FSR update – Parking is now at about 17km up the Hurley, but only if you have good tires. Be respectful of others and be smart about where you park.
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with on the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking above the gravel pit at the 5-6km mark! It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up. Club is still using the old DMC groomer to groom, new groomer needs some love still. All non-members expect to pay a $20 fee to support the grooming efforts.
– Julie-Ann
March 18, 2016
March 16. John Wallace photo.
I Just wanted to start off this ride report by sending my condolences to all the friends and families of those who lost their loved ones in the mountains due to avalanches the past week. Too many. You were all part of the sledding community; our family, may you rest in peace shredding those fluffy white pow clouds in the high mountains!
March Madness! Holy hell it’s DEEEEEEEEEP out there. The best it gets with this beautiful sunshine now. Over a meter of new snow has fallen in the past week and the sun is now starting to come out. Please be careful, with the sun means warming up of the new snow and is more likely to cause avalanches. Also be aware of melt-freeze crusts forming in sun exposed slopes over the next couple days. Lots of settling and whumpfing happening right now in the alpine. Cornices are still quite large and fragile.
There is nothing but sunshine in the forecast til mid-Saturday afternoon with freezing levels hovering around 1700-2000m. Hope you all enjoy the face shots and don’t forget to slap your face with the screen if you don’t want to get that leather face look!
Rutherford – Parking at approximately 2km up the road, 4×4 only suggested if you are driving up there to park. No trailers suggested. Grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when the snow turns to shmoo. A couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
There are tracks that almost go into a huge crevasse up on the Appa Glacier stretch. Ride with caution! Even though there are tracks doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe (see photos below).
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Tracks leading into a crevasse hole on Appa Glacier photo: Ray Mason
Hurley FSR update – Parking is now at about 17km up the Hurley, but only if you have good tires. Be respectful of others and be smart about where you park.
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with on the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking above the gravel pit at the 5-6km mark! It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up. Club is still using the old DMC groomer to groom, new groomer needs some love still. All non-members expect to pay a $20 fee to support the grooming efforts.
– Julie-Ann
March 11, 2016
Pow pow! Pretty much the best it gets right now above 1400m. It snowed about 60cm in the past couple days with pretty good freezing levels (about 1400m). There is a melt-freeze crust from this past Saturday’s sun/higher freezing levels in some places sitting under this new snow (about 60cm below).
Another 50cm is in the forecast the next couple days with freezing levels sitting between 1100m and 1700m. With this much new snow, expect the avalanche ratings to go up significantly. Cornices are still very sensitive and for those that have not broken yet, the wind kept up this week making them bigger. Be careful. Not much sun in the forecast, but don’t be picky, the snow is good! Take it, get some!
Here is Ray Mason’s MIN from March: http://www.avalanche.ca/share/hope-creek/4cc91290-d6f3-4799-a36f-4e620c51a193
Rutherford – Parking at approximately 2km up the road, 4×4 only suggested if you are driving up there to park. No trailers suggested. Grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when the snow turns to shmoo. A couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
There are tracks that almost go into a huge crevasse up on the Appa Glacier stretch. Ride with caution! Even though there are tracks doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe (see photos below).
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Tracks leading into a crevasse hole on Appa Glacier photo: Ray Mason
Hurley FSR update – Parking is now at about 17km up the Hurley, but only if you have good tires. Be respectful of others and be smart about where you park. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (at about 1400m just before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 6 inches under the snow. It is on your left side if you are headed in the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with on the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking above the gravel pit at the 5-6km mark! It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up. Club is still using the old DMC groomer to groom, new groomer needs some love still. All non-members expect to pay a $20 fee to support the grooming efforts.
– Julie-Ann
March 3, 2016
Pemberton above 2100m.
There is deep, heavy elephant snot below 1800m right now, any wrong move and you are stuck! Hehe. Anything above 1800m is pretty awesome blower pow. It’s making it tough to get high to the goods seeing as it’s been so overcast and snowy the past little while.
Nothing but more snow (up high) for the next couple days. The wind has been going strong up there so be aware of wind loaded slopes and sensitive cornices. Freezing levels should be hovering around 1800m all weekend. Stay high!
Pemberton above 1900m.
Always check the avalanche reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad if you want to read about any recent avalanches out there.
Rutherford – Grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when the snow turns to shmoo. A couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
There are tracks that almost go into a huge crevasse up on the Appa Glacier stretch. Ride with caution! Even though there are tracks doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe (see photos below).
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Tracks leading into a crevasse hole on Appa Glacier photo: Ray Mason
Hurley FSR update – Parking is now at about 17km up the Hurley, but only if you have good tires. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (at about 1400m just before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 6 inches under the snow. It is on your left side if you are headed in the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with on the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking above the gravel pit at the 5-6km mark! It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up. Groomer is fixed thanks to Matt Kerr at Cold Smoke Industries and the pickle mobile.
– Julie-Ann
February 25, 2016
Northeast aspects are where it’s at for the goods! Taken Feb 23 in Pemby.
The sun has been out for the past 4 days and it has been baking the goods. Find those northeast aspects and you will wet yourself. The “good pow” is there! I would personally stay away from any steep, solar affected slopes and cornices still. The snow starts to get pretty good at about 1600m right now but freezing levels are rising quickly to 2500m by Thursday then dropping back down to about 1500m by Friday. There is some snow in the forecast at higher elevations on the weekend.
Always check the avalanche reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad if you want to read about any recent avalanches out there.
Rutherford – Grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when the snow turns to shmoo. A couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Otherwise, it’s smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
A couple things to watch out for: the groomer is broken down on the road around a corner closer to the cabin, so take the corners slow so you don’t smash into it. Also, there are tracks that almost go into a huge crevasse up on the Appa Glacier stretch. Ride with caution! Even though there are tracks doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safe (see photos below).
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Groomer broke down near cabin photo: Ray Mason
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Tracks leading into a crevasse hole on Appa Glacier photo: Ray Mason
Hurley FSR update – Parking is now at about 13 km up the Hurley. There are quite a few dirt patches now from there to about 17km. If this rain continues, we will be parking higher soon. Huge thanks to the Pemberton Valley Snowmobile club for grooming the Hurley! Please show your thanks by joining the club at https://pvsc-bcsf.silkstart.com/join. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (at about 1400m just before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 6 inches under the snow. It is on your left side if you are headed in the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with on the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking above the gravel pit! It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up.
– Julie-Ann
February 18, 2016
Pro snowcross racer Shelby Mahon enjoying the Pemberton pow on Tuesday Feb 16 during her She Shreds Mountain Adventures clinic!
Thank you freezing levels for somewhat cooperating with us the past week! I was a little worried over the past weekend with that, but they stayed below 1800m which allowed all that precipitation to be snow above!! Yay! It was an AWESOME past 5 days out there. Lots of freshies, about 2 feet of good dry pow above 1500m.
BUT there has been A LOT of wind up there! Be aware of wind loaded slopes when travelling through the mountains and I would stay far away from any cornices. There is also melt freeze crusts that goes all the way to the alpine with about 30-40cm of fresh on it, seeing the freezing levels have been fluctuating quite a bit all week. Be careful and ride with caution.
Another about 30cm is falling right now (last night and today – Thursday) above 1200m and expected to continue to snow another about 10cm Friday. Saturday is looking like the sun is going to poke out! Get out there for a good sunny pow day and ride safe!
Always check the avalanche reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad if you want to read about any recent avalanches out there, check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Rutherford – Grooming is on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps it’s very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when its shmoo snow. Couple of dirt patches are now starting to poke through the road at lower elevations due to rain. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley – Parking at the split in the Hurley 9km. There are quite a few dirt patches now from the parking lot to about 17km. If this rain continues we will be parking higher soon. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (at about 1400m just before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 6 inches under the snow now. It is on your left side if you are headed the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it! The Pemberton Valley snowmobile club is working on permits to come help with the grooming on the Hurley. Please support the club and buy your membership if you would like to see this happen.
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Some dirt patches to deal with o the way up at lower elevations. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking at the gravel pit. It’s tight! Quite a few dirt patches to deal with now on the way up.
– Julie-Ann
February 11, 2016
Vincent Champoux shredding the last of the “pow” on Feb 9 2016
Alright, freezing levels can go right down please. We have been battling with warm weather and high freezing levels the past week. Whomever got out and played last Saturday and Sunday got the last of the dry pow. Sun came out STRONG on Monday and Tuesday and has completely baked the snow creating a new thin crust. The rain crust from January 28 is still haunting us (wherever has not slid yet) in some elevations below about 1900m and certain aspects. More rain to high elevations hit us yesterday and will continue over the weekend with freezing levels sitting at about 1500m. I just want the freezing levels to drop, is that too much to ask?
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Lots of wet sluffs around Pemberton Feb 9 2016
Rutherford – Grooming is usually on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Take into consideration with these warm temps its very hard to keep trails in perfect condition – they whoop out quick when its shmoo snow. Smooth sailing all the way to the Ice Caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley – Parking at the split in the Hurley 9km. If this rain continues we will be parking higher soon. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (about 1400m before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 4 inches under the snow now. It is on your left side if you are headed the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom. Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm Ridge – parking at the gravel pit! It’s tight!
– Julie-Ann
February 4, 2016
Orion enjoying the pow!
That pineapple, she came, she went, and now she coming back next week. Damn! It rained all the way to the top last weekend, temps then dropped and snowed about 45cm. So this new snow is now sitting on top of a rain crust. Be cautious. Snow is awesome 1500m and higher, below is just less than a foot of fresh sitting on this crust.
Looks like there will be some light precipitation (about 25-30cm by Friday) with freezing levels sitting at about 1200m, followed by some sunny patches and cloud by Sunday with freezing levels rising to about 1600m. Monday is pretty far to predict, but it looks like that b**** of a pineapple is coming back. Sun and freezing levels may skyrocket real high.
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad, check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Here is Ray Mason’s MIN report from Feb 2 – http://www.avalanche.ca/reports/70c24fe6-6baf-4acc-aa7d-2ca781a69d0c
Rutherford – Grooming is usually on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Smooth sailing all the way to the Icecaps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley FSR update – Parking at the split in the Hurley at 9km.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (about 1400m before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about 15cm under the snow. It is on your left side if you are headed the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – Parking at the gravel pit! She Shreds clinic happening on Sunday up there!
– Julie-Ann
January 28, 2016
Rider: Janice Mcwilliam on Jan 25 up on the Pemberton Icecap.
Just got blasted by the pineapple. Shit! Blasted is an understatement. Extreme winds and freezing levels that rose to about 2300m last night (oh and with about 30mm of rain). With this weather expect some pretty gnarly storm slabs forming up there in the alpine. On a positive note looks like that hoar frost layer that was formed mid-January (down about 100cm) has been crushed by all this heavy precipitation at treeline. That being said I would still be aware and cautious above treeline seeing that hoar layer is still apparent. Oh and I wouldn’t go jumping off of any cornices either right now! Bad idea.
On a double whammy positive note, freezing levels are dropping back down with some good amount of snow on its way throughout the weekend. Not a fan of the yo-yo weather but I’ll take it if mother neat-ture finishes it off with more snow and cold weather.
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Here is my MIN report from this past weekend – http://www.avalanche.ca/reports/22178bd5-8424-4682-9381-e1591031ad30
Freshies all to us! Riders: Janice Mcwilliam and Pam Hewitt on Jan 25 up on the Pemberton Icecap.
Rutherford – Grooming is usually on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley FSR update –Parking at the split in the Hurley 9km. IMPORTANT NOTICE: at the summit of the Hurley (about 1400m before the Face turnoff) there is a BC Forestry sign that is now buried about an inch under the snow. It is on your left side if you are headed the Bralorne direction, placed in a very inviting “come rip over here” kind of area – open and pow savvy. Stay on the cat track near the summit. Be aware not to hit it! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
CAUTION: Hidden sign under snow at Hurley pass (about 1400m before Face turn off) just off the cat track taken Jan 26 by Ray Mason, be aware don’t hit it.
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect. The massive avalanche that blocked Chocolate bowl across “avalanche alley” last weekend is now cleaned up and good to pass now!
Brohm ridge – parking a little higher than valley bottom now!
– Julie-Ann
January 21, 2016
Brodie Evans making the trip from Revelstoke to the Coast to ride the goods.
What an insanely deep week it has been on the coastal & sub-coastal mountains. I think we have some of the best snow in the whole province right now judging by how many sled crews are in town! We haven’t had any new snow for the past 4 days (but it’s stayed cold, deep and awesome) but holy hell, is it ever PUKING today. They are calling for up to 70cm today with freezing levels rising to about 1800m by this evening, then dropping back down to about 1200m by Friday.
Mike Reeve taking a break from behind the camera filming for 509.
That being said, please be safe out there. The avalanche reports are EXTREME today and will slowly taper off over the next couple days. There are some hidden hoar frost layers under all this snow, but we are hoping with all this fresh that it will crush these layers.
On another note, with freezing levels rising then falling back down there is a possibility of a crust forming on the top layer. Ride with caution, please. The forecast is looking like sun and cloud for the weekend. Pack your gear up and head to the coast, it will not disappoint.
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Rutherford – Grooming is usually on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley FSR update – Parking at the split in the Hurley. Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom and all snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect. Their grooming as been quite sporadic the past week, so you may be riding whoops or you may be riding groomed…
Brohm ridge – Parking a little lower closer to valley bottom now!
– Julie-Ann
January 14, 2016
Oh mother neat-ture you are so kind to us. We were going through a little dry spell there, it was fun exploring new zones and alder bashing for couple days, went through 2 pairs of lenses scratching them right up, but I’m stoked for this new snow! Mother nature has decided to be oh so kind and shed some of her sweet fluff down onto us the past couple days! A total of about 40cm has fallen in the past 2 days with freezing levels staying at valley bottom! Sun may poke out today (Thursday) and tomorrow then more of that white fluff is scheduled to show up (about another 40cm by the end of the weekend). Freezing levels are going to rise to about 1300m by Sunday. With lots of snow in forecast the avy dangers are going up now…
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Here’s a post I made on the MIN from January 14:
http://www.avalanche.ca/share/auto-quick-report/43464b5f-9786-44ce-bf0c-242d22d6808d
Rutherford – Grooming is usually on Tuesday nights and Friday nights. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley FSR update –Parking at the split in the Hurley. Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – parking a little lower closer to valley bottom now!
I have run into the CO Officers and compliance enforcement officers often now checking for sled registrations. They are cracking down huge, I wouldn’t suggest getting caught without your snowmobile registration, it’s a hefty fine! They are checking in the parking lots AND on the mountain! You MUST carry your drivers license AND registrations papers ON YOU in the mountains to avoid this fine.
– Julie-Ann
January 7, 2016
When you explore new zones sometimes it’s hard not to come back in the pitch dark. This is what it looks like in the mountains when the sun is just about to set. We got back to the trucks at 7pm that night.
Where’s that reset button at? Still some good pow to be found, but you have to look far and wide for it! North facing slopes between 1600m and 1800m is where you’re going to find the goods these days. The high alpine has been wind affected. It has snowed about 15cm in past 2 days. Freezing level is staying nice and low at about 800m.
I would like to tell you we have about 2 feet in the forecast for the weekend but that would be bullshitting you, so the truth is nothing but sun until at least Saturday. Get out there, pack extra gas and explore zones you have never been in before, it’s the perfect snow and weather for it!
As far as avalanche danger, its pretty much as safe as it gets right now: full green across the board! Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Rutherford – Last groomed Tuesday night. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps! Trail fees in full effect.
Hurley FSR update –Parking at the split in the Hurley. Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – parking a little lower closer to valley bottom now!
– Julie-Ann
December 31, 2015
Brodie Evans getting some on a bluebird pow pow kinda day!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Get it while you can! The past week has just been EPIC! Blower cold smoke pow. The last snowfall was 5 days ago. There are still some sweet pockets of deeeeeep pow, but you have to go far and look hard for them. The high alpine has been wind affected. It has been very cold so the hoar frost is starting to form on the surface now. An inversion is about to hit us with temps of 3-5 degrees Celsius in the alpine tomorrow, freezing level at 3000m! Say bye bye to the pow pow. Looking like full sun in the alpine till early next week, enjoy it and bring your shades with you!
Chris Brown doing some soulful turns in front of Mt Cayley.
As far as avalanche danger, its pretty much as safe as it gets right now! Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Where is Brodie Evans?!? Oh under that cold blower pow!!!
Rutherford – The groomer has started to groom to past the cabin and they are starting to charge for trail fees. Smooth sailing all the way to the ice caps!
Hurley FSR update – Parking at about 8km! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is catskiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom. All snow is cleared for parking! Charging trail fees in full effect.
Brohm ridge – parking a little lower closer to valley bottom now!
– Julie-Ann
December 27, 2015
Chris Brown taking in the world from a different perspective.
I think we have been pretty lucky with what winter has brought us so far this season. Lots of dumps and some quality temperatures which has allowed it to stay pretty stable out there. That being said, I have noticed on slopes (north/northeast facing) that have been wind scoured have a layer of faceted snow (sugar snow) beneath, introduce some false anchors (shallow rocks, trees etc) and you have yourself some recipe for slab avalanches.
It has snowed about 80cm in the past 5 days with some good winds. The alpine has been wind affected but there are still MANY “honey holes” to be found out there, especially seeing it hasn’t been very busy in the backcountry these days! The sun was out for Christmas, I hope you were able to get out there for a roop! Freezing line stays to the valley bottom with a small low pressure rolling in by Sunday bringing us a little bit of snow (about 5cm) followed by some more sun and cloud for early next week.
Ricarda ripping some Pemberton pow.
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Rutherford – The groomer has “track packed” the road up to the trees. Still a little hairy between there and just past the cabin. Highly suggest for experienced riders only at this point. Might need to rebuild the bridge across the creek past the cabin. The groomer plans to do more work on the road next week. Stay tuned for update next week.
Hurley FSR update – Parking at about 10km! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking!. The catskiing has started and is in full effect, please respect their catskiing zones (don’t go roop it up!!) and be cautious if using the road seeing their cat is constantly going up and down the road. So many people still getting stuck in those exposed creeks in brandywine bowl! Be careful!
Brohm ridge – parking about ½ way up, reports of it being VERY deep up there earlier this week.
– Julie-Ann
December 17, 2015
Mother Neat-ure is a god sent from heaven this past week. So deep! It’s been the week of what dreams are made of for backcountry enthusiasts! Huge dumps, followed by sunshine, followed by more dumps followed by—you guessed it—MORE SUNSHINE! Yeeeew! AND its pretty damn stable out there which is a bonus! I felt some whumphs in the snow north of Pemberton last Friday with that new storm snow settling, and witnessed a couple of loose wet sluff avys on sun exposed stuff in Brandywine on Monday with the quick warming in temperature from the sun. The snow is pretty safe right now, but there was some wind action on Tuesday so be aware of wind loaded slopes!
Grant Clarke sending it
It’s looking like another dump is in the forecast. About 25cm is supposed to dump between Thursday and Friday, upping the avy danger a bit. Light precipitation is forecasted for the weekend and to top it all off, freezing levels are cooperating and staying nice and low (about 600m).
Chris Brown getting face shots
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Chris Brown popping
Rutherford – ahhhh the early season poker’s report! Couple Pemby locals poked up for the firsts this season on Monday. Report was that it took them about 3.5 hours to get to the cabin (when it usually takes about 15-20 minutes!)! Little hairy going in, highly suggest for experienced riders only at this point. Might need to rebuild the bridge across the creek past the cabin!
Hurley – Parking at about 10km and groomed Wednesday! Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They have started their operations! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you (604) 894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Brandywine – Parking at the bottom all snow is cleared for parking! All cross ditches have been filled by the groomer on the way up. The cat skiing is starting soon over in metaldome so please respect their catskiing zones (don’t go roop it up!!) and be cautious if using the road seeing their cat is punching the road in now. So many people still getting stuck in those exposed creeks in brandywine bowl! Be careful!
Brohm Ridge – parking about ½ way up, groomed on Sunday with still lots of hazards under the snow.
I have run into the CO Officers and compliance enforcement officers twice this week (once at Brandywine and once up the Hurley) checking for sled registrations. They are cracking down huge, I wouldn’t suggest getting caught without your snowmobile registration, it’s a hefty fine! They are checking in the parking lots AND on the mountain! You MUST carry your drivers license AND registrations papers ON YOU in the mountains to avoid this fine.
Kachina, Tom & Orion waiting to drop into Pemberton Paradise
– Julie-Ann
December 11, 2015
Well it dumped and dumped LOTS the past week; over 110cm in the alpine! Freezing levels rose on Tuesday and Wednesday to about 1700m and will be dropping back down to about 900m by the weekend with you guessed it; more precipitation! Looks like Friday is the day to go out with a tiny bit of sun in the forecast. There is snow expected to be falling all weekend after that (about 25cm).
There has been some good wind in the alpine so be aware of wind loaded slopes! We’ve had quite the fluctuation in freezing levels the past week with lots of precipitation, so there may be a buried “danger” layer under all this new snow. A more detailed summary of the snowpack will come in next week’s ride report after I dig a pit this weekend and tell you all about it!
Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca and their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad, check it out!!
http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Hurley FSR update – Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They are trying to get their terrain all set up for their clients arriving this weekend! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you 604-894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
No reports of Rutherford yet other than some americans that tried to poke up and couldnt find the cabin!?
Brandywine! Parking at the bottom! All creeks are exposed once in the bowl. Fait attention! So many people get eaten by these creeks!
Brohm ridge – The trail was groomed Sunday from half way up the causeway down past the cabins to slide corner. Bare spots on the road especially at mid-station.
– Julie-Ann
December 1, 2015
Nasty Surface Hoar. Photo Kachina Brown
[one_half]We have ourselves a pretty interesting surface layer right now on the Coast. We’ve had nothing but sunshine with quite the inversion (super warm up top, and cold in the valley) which has allowed the snow to form hard wind slabs, facets and surface hoar (scary layer). The snow changes so much at all the different elevations due to all the fluctuation in temperatures we’ve had.
It is going to be interesting to see what this next system brings and how it bonds to this top layer. There is a warm front coming from the south and a cold front coming from the north with LOTS of precip forecasted (about 35cm). Freezing levels are rising to about 1800m by Thursday so all that precip may turn to rain. Not going to lie, some wet warm shmoo will be good to help bond the new snow a little better up there. Looks like the storm will stick around until after the weekend.
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– Julie-Ann
November 26, 2015
Stephanie Sweezey taking it in on Nov 25. Photo: Ray Mason
Sun, crust and hoar frost seems to be the trend the past couple days! We had some snow (about 20cm) on Monday then had some intense winds blow in the high alpine the past 2-3 days creating a nice crust up there, while the temps have been pretty cold.
Bright side: it’s allowing us to have a nice base settle in! If you’re planning on riding this weekend, there is tons more of that beauty sun in the forecast! Be careful of thick wind slabs everywhere. Temps are supposed to rise over the weekend (inversion) so that may create some wet slab avalanches. The best snow will be found in the lower elevations in the trees but be careful, it’s still pretty thin out there!
Todd Botham checking out a Class 2 avy that ripped down to the glacier ice on Finch Ridge. Photo: Ray Mason
Hurley — Parking at the bottom of the split in the road! People have been poking around in the trees but its still super thin. Please stay out of Backcountry Snowcat’s tenure area!!! They are trying to get their terrain all set up for their clients arriving in a week! If you don’t know what area is cat skiing tenure please call Reg and Cathy and they will be happy to explain it to you (604) 894-7669. Remember to respect these guys! They are the ones that groom the Hurley FREE OF CHARGE for you to enjoy!!!
Rutherford — No reports as of yet.
Brandywine — Parking at the bottom! Three little creeks to cross on the way up. All creeks are exposed once in the bowl. Pay attention! So many people get eaten by these creeks!
Brohm Ridge – Parking is a little lower than the gate.
Avalanche Canada has started their avy rating forecasts! Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca And their sweet new Mountain Information Network program is SUPER rad check it out!! http://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
– Julie-Ann
November 12, 2015
Chris Brown up Brohm, making it look tasty.
Boooooya! Looks like the Coastal Mountains are winning for most snowfall this week/weekend in BC!! Things are shaping up nicely up high!! We’ve had a total snowfall of about 50cm in the past week-ish and another 60cm-ish predicted in the next 3 days!
We had a system from the Southern Interior that brought us our first “dump” up high. A high pressure system brought us a bit of sun yesterday (Wednesday). People went up sledding up Brohm ridge but are still reporting it to be quite “boney”. Parking is at the gate up Brohm.
Hurley FSR update – Parking at about 17km… Not quite able to get past Hope Creek turn off just yet (thanks for the update Scott Humby). You’ve got a road ride to get those new machines broken in!
No reports of Brandywine or Rutherford yet.
We have a strong system moving in this morning (Thursday) with freezing levels at about 2000m. It makes me very angry that we are starting off the season battling freezing levels once again. No fair. Keeping my hopes high though that this system will bring us some good pow pow.
That precipitation should stick around till Saturday morning with freezing levels dropping to to about 1500m by Sunday. Freezing levels are dropping down for the rest of the weekend to about 500m by Monday, bringing us a total of about 60cm in the high heavens.
Reality check; its still pretty boney. Be aware of A-arm and S-Module snaggers.
Avalanche Canada has not yet started with their avalanche reports for the Sea to Sky corridor yet, but they will be in the next 2 weeks. Always check the reports before heading out! www.avalanche.ca
Now is a good time to pull your dusty pack out of the closet and make sure you have all your necessary tools and items in it for when you go sledding next. Re-stock and be ready! If you’re wondering what to put in your pack, here is a blog I recently wrote on what I carry to give you an idea! http://www.sheshreds.ca/article/what-to-pack-in-your-backcountry-snowmobile-backpack
The BC Snow Show is happening in Vernon, BC Friday night Nov 13 and Saturday Nov 14. Lots of awesome vendors and lots of awesome athletes under one roof! Come hang with us! 509 video premiere on Saturday night Wings Tap & Grill 8pm, tickets available at the snow show.
Support a local snowmobile club, they do good things to help keep snowmobile zones open and in top shape! The BCSF (British Columbia Snowmobile Federation) are constantly fighting to keep our areas open. This fight is done mostly by volunteers and one paid staff who wears many other hats within the organization. The reason why they can only afford one person…people do not support their local club and therefore the BCSF. The BCSF have no voice when it comes to land closures because only 14% of snowmobilers in BC join a club. The rest either buy a day pass or believe it is their right to ride for free on crown land. Here is a little graphic on where that attitude has got us to today. We have gone from 15% protected land in 1993 to 45% in 2013. That has tripled in 20 years. What do you think it will look like in another 20? Where do you think you are going to ride?
Please join a BC snowmobile club this season and add your voice to the fight! If we double our membership we can double our voice. If every snowmobiler bought a membership the fight would be easy! (Information courtesy of BCSF)
So in return for all the hard work the BCSF is doing; She Shreds and Toyskinz have teamed up to do a fundraiser to help keep our snowmobile zones open. Every She Shreds Pro model Signature Wrap that is sold, $25 of it will be donated to the BCSF for all its hard work it’s doing to keep these snowmobile zones open. Order your She Shreds wrap please click the link below….
http://www.toyskinz.com/products/product-details/?slug=she-shreds-2015
– Julie-Ann
November 5, 2015 Update
Super pumped to be bringing you the ride reports for the 2016 season once again for the Sea to Sky corridor! If ever you have any updates or events you would like to share with us in the Sea to Sky corridor on your adventures on your snowmobiles feel free to email me at info@sheshreds.ca . I am always open to share your photos too!
One thing I would like to point out is Avalanche Canada’s new app. Get it its awesome. Their new option “the mountain information network” is a part of the app that lets you post/read other people’s viewings and experiences while in the backcountry in whatever area you are riding in. You can see/read by clicking the little blue water drop like symbols on the map. More the info the better to help you judge your own predictions about travelling safely through the backcountry. For more info on it please visit this link.
Personally I have hiked up to about 3500ft/1066m and found the white gold in the Pemberton area. I wouldn’t suggest taking the sleds out just yet though. Still very rocky. There has been reports of a couple people going up Brohm Ridge, but from what I heard its pretty much just to claim novelty “firsts up”. Freezing levels are stilling at about 1600m right now and are supposed to rise to 2000m ish by Saturday. We have a nice system moving in that is predicting lots of snow up high. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the freezing level stays somewhat lower (story of our lives on the coast!!).
The BCSF (British Columbia Snowmobile Federation) are constantly fighting to keep our areas open. This fight is done mostly by volunteers and one paid staff who wears many other hats within the organization. The reason why they can only afford one person…people do not support their local club and therefore the BCSF. The BCSF have no voice when it comes to land closures because only 14% of snowmobilers in BC join a club. The rest either buy a day pass or believe it is their right to ride for free on crown land. Here is a little graphic on where that attitude has got us to today. We have gone from 15% protected land in 1993 to 45% in 2013. That has tripled in 20 years. What do you think it will look like in another 20? Where do you think you are going to ride?
Please join a BC snowmobile club this season and add your voice to the fight! If we double our membership we can double our voice. If every snowmobiler bought a membership the fight would be easy! (Information courtesy of BCSF)
So in return for all the hard work the BCSF is doing; She Shreds and Toyskinz have teamed up to do a fundraiser to help keep our snowmobile zones open. Every She Shreds Pro model Signature Wrap that is sold, $25 of it will be donated to the BCSF for all its hard work it’s doing to keep these snowmobile zones open. Order your She Shreds wrap please click the link below….
http://www.toyskinz.com/products/product-details/?slug=she-shreds-2015
Julie-Ann
