Thursday Report for Dec 11, 2014

Things are starting to return to almost normal after a strange week of weather. Probably one of the mildest and wettest times I have seen in December since 1980. Unfortunately friends from Prince George arrived for the week on Sunday to ski. Last time they were here was in the 70's. I went up with them on Monday and I managed to keep dry as it didn't rain that hard. Tuesday and Wednesday were very wet and they even closed down the mountains early on Tuesday with big winds and lightening. They still seem to be enjoying themselves as even with limited runs and wet conditions our runs are much longer then they have up north.

Today the weather started to cool down a touch. Overnight there was quite a bit of snow that fell up top and it started to snow this afternoon down to just below the top of the Excalibur Gondola. There was powder to be found if you went on some marginal runs or tempted out of bounds. I hear there is at least a 180cm base in the high alpine. They are going to try and get 7th Heaven Chair and the Peak Chair open on Saturday. Not sure what runs are going to be open but I can guess. The bottom of 7th doesn't not have much snow so I don't think they can open any of those runs unless this latest snowfall fixed that. Horstman Glacier maybe down Crystal Traverse to Trapline might work. The Couloir Extreme looks good or have they changed the name to Bunbury Couloir. Read Maxed Out in this weeks Pique Newspaper. On Whistler, Glacier Bowl, Whistler Bowl and maybe Burnt Stew Trail  and possibly Upper Pique to Creek would be my picks.

Looks like a little more snow on the way and then some sun. Next week we might get an inversion again but that is too far out to get anything right. We just need the temperature to stay down so snow can be made and we can keep the ski outs going. Looks pretty green in the Valley right now. Blackcomb has closed their ski out temporarily. Don't panic as it is only Dec 11.

Nice new untracked snow first thing in the morning

Fresh snow on Springboard

Snow is now above our deck at the Mountain Host Hut

Whistler's Alpine is looking good. That is Doreen sneaking into the photo. Thanks for the great cranberry bars at coffee break today

Look at the snow on the Rendevous deck.

The Couloir is looking good.