Real Ski Report: Easter eggs and spring skiing in the Rockies
Paul Karchut | CBC News | Posted: March 24, 2016 6:34 PM | Last Updated: March 24, 2016
From rain to slush and snow — the conditions are all over the map Easter weekend
Each week, CBC Calgary's Paul Karchut speaks with dozens of dedicated skiers and boarders across eastern B.C. and southern Alberta to get the real scoop on conditions at resorts, on cross-country trails and in the backcountry.
If you're chasing powder, your best bet this Easter weekend is Revelstoke.
The hill has had more than 40 cm this week, with 17 cm of fresh snow on Wednesday night.
It's been a slow week for snowfall at Lake Louise, Panorama, Norquay and Nakiska — just 5 cm of the fresh stuff.
If the forecast for the weekend stays true, the Bow Valley resorts could get a refresh of light snow.
Fernie got a decent dose Wednesday night and there's more on the way. If temperatures stay cold enough — that snow could fall all the way to the base of the mountain.
- Kicking Horse: The resort got very little snow this week, but did get a 5 cm refill Wednesday night.
- Castle: The upper slopes are still skiing well, but warm temperatures are taking a toll down low on the mountain.
- Kimberley: Warm and wet this week, with more rain in the Friday forecast. That should taper off by Saturday, when the sun comes out.
- Sunshine Village: About 20 cm of new snow this week and more in the weekend forecast.
Special public avalanche warning
Right now, there's a very complex snowpack out there.
That's prompted Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada and Kananaskis Country to issues a special public avalanche warning for backcountry users this Easter long weekend.
"We've had about a week where we've seen, you know, very large avalanches, almost every day," said Jeremy McKenzie with Kananaskis Public Safety.
"Now that the natural avalanche activity has subsided somewhat, the conditions are extremely sensitive to human triggering at the moment," he said.
- Fernie snowboarder who plunged 100 metres ID'd as Calgary-area woman
- Snowshoer killed in Kananaskis Country avalanche
Whether you're on skis, a snowmobile or snowshoes — before you venture out, make sure to read the Avalanche Canada bulletins for the latest conditions.
Easter weekend events
Pretty much all the Alberta and B.C. resorts are hosting Easter egg hunts on Sunday — along with some kind of special brunch option.
Meanwhile, some of the best big mountain skiers will be charging down chutes and launching off cliffs at Kicking Horse. From March 24 to 27, the hill is hosting the Wrangle the Chute freeride competition.
On a lighter note — Castle Mountain is hosting its annual cardboard canoe race and slush cup, and Sunshine Mountain is having a bonfire every afternoon this weekend at the bottom of the hill.
Cross-country trails
Out on the trails, ski reporter Bob Truman says it's a mixed bag.
"It's not perfect at the Nordic Centre but it's skiable and people are getting by with different concoctions of wax."
Conditions are similar in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Truman says there's good coverage at Lake Louise, but the problem is if you go early in the day — the tracks are icy. And if you go late in the day — the snow is wet.
Right now, waxless skis are the way to go and you should try to get out early in the day, before the snow gets too warm.
With files from the Calgary Eyeopener
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