-Conditions on Wheeler are vastly improved-
The PLPP Live Grooming Report is not accessible, so here’s the info straight from tracksetter James: “Tuesday night’s grooming and tracksetting in PLPP included Sinclair, Lodgepole, Braille and the section of Meadow trail between the park visitor center and Lodgepole trail. The section of Lodgepole trail between Sinclair and Pocaterra hut is closed due to flooding from the river below the big hill.”
Near the top of Packers.
You’ve read my trip report regarding conditions in PLPP, now I’ll add some photos. The photo at the top is Wheeler. If you remember, Wheeler had a lot of icy and bare patches. There’s enough snow, albeit thin in places, to get good grip. The conditions could be described as firm, but overall pretty good.
Be very careful if you’re descending Packers. The ice flow is long and wide.
As I was clicking into my skis at the Elkwood Amphitheatre trailhead, Keith and Ray came skiing by. They had been out earlier in the day and started when the temperature was -21°C. The air temperature at Elkwood at 2:15 pm was -8. I started with VR40(-4/-12) but it was too grippy. At the top of Packers, I finally took a snow temperature and it was -13°C. I rewaxed with VR30(-10/-30) and it performed much better. I was able to enjoy a reasonably fast descent on Pocaterra to the Lynx junction.
Pocaterra near the Packers junction
Warning: If you are descending Packers, be very cautious when you come to the ice flow. There’s a warning sign which will give you enough time to come to a stop and assess your options. The build-up of ice has even created a significant hump in the trail.
Pocaterra – Lynx junction
Yesterday, there was enough fresh snow over the ice flow that you could have skied over it as long as you were prepared for it, but that won’t be the situation for long. Snowplowing would be futile, and probably cause you to lose your balance. Removing your skis and walking along the side where there is some deeper snow is probably the best option. The ice flow is about 20 metres long and full-width.
New Pocaterra with some fresh snow and good tracks
Packers had about 3 cm of fresh snow at the base, and closer to 6 cm at the top in the open areas. At the Lynx junction, I skied for 500 metres on new Pocaterra. It was so enjoyable that I wanted to continue. I wasn’t sure, however, if I could complete the loop because I’d seen reports that the north end of Lodgepole was impassable. Does anyone have an update on that situation?
Wonderful conditions on Woolley
Lynx was in good shape with some fresh snow but good tracks. Amos, Woolley and Meadow were all wonderful with the brand new tracksetting and fast snow.
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Weds morning – Skied up whiskey jack, tyrwhitt, elk pass, fox creek, moraine on skier set tracks – cold snow – our VR40 was too grippy and blue glider a bit slow- it warmed up on elk pass and had a great ski down to boulton!! 2.5 hours
Tuesday nights grooming and tracksetting in PLPP included Sinclair, Lodgepole, Braille and the section of Meadow trail between the park visitor center and Lodgepole trail. The section of Lodgepole trail between Sinclair and Pocaterra hut is closed due to flooding from the river below the big hill.
I have been having the same problem with the live grooming report 🙁
Snow looks good in K-country, and I see Nakiska has received more significant snow than any other downhill ski area, perhaps more than anywhere else??