2009-2010 Valemount Conditions

[Trashy]

Yup, the snow was spectacular.... but I also saw a lot of peeps on hills that no one had any business being on. I'm surprised the number of natural slides didn't strike more fear in people.
That said, I had a blast playing in the trees and meadows.... lots of untouched ares down low because most there were risking their necks up in the alpine.

 

[jaronp1]

hey has anybody been to horsey lately??? , I have never been there and i'm wondering how the terrain is and stuff.. We are heading up this weekend.

 

[depsnolvr]

Sorry folks

Due to complications with the groomer. We will not be collecting at Chappell Saturday Jan 23rd. The groomer is on the trail near the end so use caution. The trail is in ok shape, and still comfortably done, but we done want to cross the line.

Beatutiful Sunset tonight in Valemount !
http://valemount.ca/camera/valemountcam.html

 

[snowmobilerfred]

Traveling tomorrow. Sledding Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. After a 12 hour drive, we're hoping for some good conditions. Is it pretty tracked up in Allan, Clemina, and Chappell areas?

 

[jehay]

sorry to say valmount SUCKS bad NEED new SNOW

 

[maxwellzx]

lol look harder

 

[jehay]

its bad when you need your scrachers down in the alpine

 

[depsnolvr]

Just a quick update

The weather around here has been awesome lately, producing one bluebird day after another. Unfortunately that means no fresh snow. There is still lots of untouched available, but you may have to get creative.

It is in these times (lack of fresh) that the odd closure starts to get investigated by the sledder craving a fresh track. Please refrain from entering into these areas at all costs. Besides it being illegal, your tracks are very visible from the air and do not do our sport any favors. Try some technical tree lines or find a small area and work on your skills instead. We are also hoping that the sledding community will help "police themselves" and offer help and advice when needed.

Google Earth is a great tool for finding "in bounds" secrets that you may not know are there. The three managed all have links to Google Earth on our website.



This weekend is the Valemount Winter Festival. There is great activities for the kids on Saturday as well as events for all ages including a winter Triathalon.
For more info http://www.visitvalemount.ca/winter/winterfest1.htm

Sunday Jan 31st is the VARDA Charity Poker Run. Registration begins at 9am at the Visitor Information Center and the ride should begin around 10am. There will be hot chocolate and cookies available at the mid way point with a hot dog roast finalizing the event back at the info center. A minimum $5 donation is required per participant, but this is for Charity so a larger donation is always welcome. A pledge form is attached and there are prizes for the most pledges collected, "ghost rider" or people pledging without participating are also eligible for prizes.

Should be a fun weekend for all !

Please contact me at the VARDA office for more information

Thank you

 

[depsnolvr]

Due to low snow levels in the Valley bottom, the VARDA Poker Rally has been moved to the Westridge Substation. Registration begins at 9am, ride at 10.

Drive south past the Best Western approx 1.6km and take your first right. Follow this main road until you reach the substation. VARDA representatives will be there to great you.

Sorry for the inconveniance.

 

[snowmobilerfred]

Just a quick update

The weather around here has been awesome lately, producing one bluebird day after another. Unfortunately that means no fresh snow. There is still lots of untouched available, but you may have to get creative.


I like that "be creative." We were riding in Allen Creek from the 26th to 28th. All three days we found fresh stuff. You just have to "be creative" and you'll find snow. There was still plenty to be had, unless you like to stay away from trees!

 

[depsnolvr]

Hello Everyone

I wish I had better news to report(i dont know who needs snow more, us or the olympics), but as far as conditions go for this weekend, riders should expect compact conditions in the popular areas as we have not had much snow for some time. A little is falling here and there. My staff reported about 3" of new in the Allan lot this morning

The good news is, its always fun on the hill, especially on a sunny day!
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-13_metric_e.html

It is in these times (lack of fresh) that the odd closure starts to get investigated by the sledder craving a fresh track. Please refrain from entering into these areas at all costs. Besides it being illegal, your tracks are very visible from the air and do not do our sport any favors. Try some technical tree lines or find a small area and work on your skills instead. We are also hoping that the sledding community will help "police themselves" and offer help and advice when needed.

Google Earth is a great tool for finding "in bounds" secrets that you may not know are there. The three managed all have links to Google Earth on our website.

Thank you

 

[Trashy]

Doing my best snow dance!!!!

 

[depsnolvr]

Just wanted to throw a quick update out there before the weekend.

As it sits, we still have not received any fresh snow worth speaking of in a long while.

The forecast is calling for a chance of snow, http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-13_metric_e.html but so far we havent seen any of it.

The trails are in excellent shape and the weather has been great. We will most likely be throwing an extra groom on Chappell this weekend (Sat night) to accomodate the holiday weekend.

We have been having our fair share of non-compliance issues this past couple of weeks, including riding in Wildlife Act Closures, ski terrain and even parking down the highway and bypassing our toll booths.

Please help us out and spread the good word. We all work hard to keep what riding terrain we have and dont want a few bad apples wrecking it for the rest of us. Self policing can go a looooong way.

Thank you

 

[depsnolvr]

Clemina and Allan will be groomed for the morning

Chappell will be groomed again Saturday night. A reduced rate of $10 will be applied to trail passes for this area on Saturday

Hope everyone has a great weekend ! It may even snow tonight !

 

[depsnolvr]

A beautiful forcast for the weekend riders
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-13_metric_e.html

We have received bits of snow here and there, but overall conditions are very enjoyable, with good snow to be found by the keen individual.

Ride Safe

 

[depsnolvr]

Just an FYI The CAC has issued a special warning for the Columbia and South Coast range. The conditions could get much worse as the weather warms even further or fresh snow falls.

Please do not let the sun ruin your better judgement and expose yourself to large terrain.

http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/bulletins/regions

 

[Trashy]

I was just about to make the same post, but you beat me to it Curtis... there is a huge layer of hoar about 50cm down that is causing some pretty serious instabilities. Be careful out there and live to ride another day!

 

[Ramjet15x]

Blue River Avy's

We rode Foam and Salmon this weekend and started / witnessed several slab slides nearly all were West-Northwest faces, the undercrust was nearly hard enough to stand on in some locations. It seems the south facing slopes may have gotten sun to melt the hoar frost and possibly bond a little better.

I was riding on top of a wide ridge when a 300 foot wide slide started at least 80below the crest which really surprised me, note to self don't go over there!!!
It was really slow and not damaging but wow...

 

[depsnolvr]

No major new snow to speak of, but its trying. I was half way up the chappell trail today and there is approx 3" on the trail at evlevation. I would still expect spring like conditions in the popular areas.

Allan and Clemina were groomed up last night and will be again friday night, numbers permitting

Please note Due to extremely low user numbers the Chappell Creek Trail will not be groomed this week. The trail was inspected by VARDA staff on Thursday afternoon and was in excellent shape. There is minor washboard on the first switchbacks and tight corners, but overall the trail is in great condition.

Please work with us as we continue to try to maintain access to this area in a cost effective manor

Please contact the numbers or email below with any questions or concerns.

Thank you

 

[depsnolvr]

Finally something worth reporting !

The heavy rain last night produced approx 24" of beautiful fresh snow up in the Chappell Creek Area. Only 22 people in the entire area today................

Geez wonder where to head tomorrow.

Again with low user numbers on this trail, please bare with us as we try to maintain it as cost effectively as possible.

Sorry, no reports yet from the other areas, but Im sure all the alpine is in much better shape.

That being said, please vist the CAC site to read and understand the current avalanche ratings.

Thank you