Gonna be up there around 7. Heard anything about the zones from people out there today?
Whistler / Brandywine - Looking for someone to ride with
- Thread starter davedc
- Start date
Gonna be up there around 7. Heard anything about the zones from people out there today?
I stopped at Brohm just off the highway, unloaded my sled, but the road was in terrible shape, tons of ice & big rocks, so I decided to head to check out Brandywine / Sproatt.
They weren't charging a trail fee at Brandywine so I decided to rip up to the Brandywine Meadows. There were quite a few holes and creeks, but the visibility was great for most of the day.
I'll probably head back up there tomorrow. May venture on to Chocolate Bowl & Grizzly Lake...
Last edited:
Anyone want to take an early morning rip up Brandywine tomorrow?
I have to work tomorrow morning (6am-10am) in Coqutilam, but I'll be heading up straight after. Should have the sled unloaded in the parking lot by 11:45am, so not exactly early...
Gotta be back in Van for 3, so gotta run earlier, damn.
How was it up there for ya, Dave?
It was good! Ripped up to playland right as the sun came out.
Met up with a couple that was sled-skiing and ripped around the gauntlet for a couple of hours with them. Great snow up top and awesome views.
I went up today with my brother, and my handlebar sheared on the throttle side right where the mountain bar connects - apparently this is a pretty common problem with the 2013 XM SP. They changed the handlebar design for 2014. The 2013 has a bolt that goes right thru the bar, causing a stress concentration - pretty dumb. Hopefully getting that fixed tomorrow or Friday and then I'll be back in action. Considering one of the CFR Boondocker Handlebar's if I can't get the bars warranteed.
It was good! Ripped up to playland right as the sun came out.
Met up with a couple that was sled-skiing and ripped around the gauntlet for a couple of hours with them. Great snow up top and awesome views.
I went up today with my brother, and my handlebar sheared on the throttle side right where the mountain bar connects - apparently this is a pretty common problem with the 2013 XM SP. They changed the handlebar design for 2014. The 2013 has a bolt that goes right thru the bar, causing a stress concentration - pretty dumb. Hopefully getting that fixed tomorrow or Friday and then I'll be back in action. Considering one of the CFR Boondocker Handlebar's if I can't get the bars warranteed.
Looks sick! Check your PM's
Never got my handlbars replaced under warranty! They never broke off bet just bent. Replaced with the 2014 handlebars.
Good to hear you were able to get some riding in! Man is the real snow ever going to come?
Must have been fun riding out with the broken bars haha!
I replaced my stock steel bars over the summer ('09 RMK) with oversized cro-moly Pro-Tapers.
Mine bent from just rolling the sled in deep snow getting unstuck last spring....those stock steel 7/8 bars are ummm..weak.
Hey Dave, as a newer rider, how was "riping around the gauntlet"? Both the Gaunlet and the S chute look hella intimidating from down there in Playland (were I spend my first few rides last spring).
-Dennis
Must have been fun riding out with the broken bars haha!
I replaced my stock steel bars over the summer ('09 RMK) with oversized cro-moly Pro-Tapers.
Mine bent from just rolling the sled in deep snow getting unstuck last spring....those stock steel 7/8 bars are ummm..weak.
Hey Dave, as a newer rider, how was "riping around the gauntlet"? Both the Gaunlet and the S chute look hella intimidating from down there in Playland (were I spend my first few rides last spring).
-Dennis
The gauntlet can be relatively easy or quite difficult depending on the snow conditions. Spring=easy. Deep=gotta keep it pinned. The S-turn is intimidating but not terrible. Snow conditions also play a role. Coming down it gets a bit interesting when your sled starts to slide sideways or your track locks up and you have to make that right hand turn toward the bottom. (This is what I experienced in spring conditions). I've not had a chance to climb the S-turn in deep snow but I've heard it can be quite a challenge.
Top of gauntlet (in May)
And of course, the S-turn (to the right)
Top of gauntlet (in May)
And of course, the S-turn (to the right)
Last edited:
I'm not sure when the real snow is going to come! Riding with broken bars wasn't that bad, just had to stop a few times as the bumps were tiring me out on the road.
I ended up opting for the Aluminum CFR Boondocker Bar & a 5" Riser. That should put the bar about 1" below factory height.
From what I remember, the S-Chute looked pretty formidable with the amount of snow we have - Brandywine Area.
I climbed the Gauntlet and the bowl to the left of the gauntlet in the above link a couple of times. Going up wasn't too bad, I just had to stay on the gas and make sure I was aimed the right way. There is enough snow for traction but not enough to really bog you down.
As for coming down, I agree with ROKRIG. You really have to fight the brake to keep your speed down and it feels a little out of control. It's definitely more fun going up!
There wasn't much snow left there on boxing day. When I drove by Callaghan this morning it was pouring rain. I'll bet almost all of the snow is gone from the trail up to 700m or so (parking lot is 500m).
Thanks for the insights/info Rokrig and Dave.
"and make sure I was aimed the right way."
Heheh....yes and there's the rub as a newer sledder!
Things seem to have minds of their own sometimes when it gets steeper/off-camber.
(sigh) raining in the Callaghan?? Not what we we're all hoping to hear.
Well, OK....I'll just plan to watch "Schooled One" again today and keep an eye on the snow forecast!
Cheers
"and make sure I was aimed the right way."
Heheh....yes and there's the rub as a newer sledder!
Things seem to have minds of their own sometimes when it gets steeper/off-camber.
(sigh) raining in the Callaghan?? Not what we we're all hoping to hear.
Well, OK....I'll just plan to watch "Schooled One" again today and keep an eye on the snow forecast!
Cheers
Looks like we are going to be getting some snow today/tonight.
Any newer riders thinking about burning some fuel tomorrow?
Coq looks like it may get a lot more than Sea-to-Sky, so considering heading up there.
(Newer rider here with 1/2 dozen days under the belt....all the avi gear and a cautious attitude when it comes to terrain/avi risk....but looking to work on the "skilz" of mountain riding)
-Dennis
Any newer riders thinking about burning some fuel tomorrow?
Coq looks like it may get a lot more than Sea-to-Sky, so considering heading up there.
(Newer rider here with 1/2 dozen days under the belt....all the avi gear and a cautious attitude when it comes to terrain/avi risk....but looking to work on the "skilz" of mountain riding)
-Dennis
With the new snow, here's something to think about:
http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/
http://blogs.avalanche.ca/category/forecaster-blog/
Hmm...yes, thanks for that...sobering indeed.
In the Blog he does suggest: " Don’t be the next statistic. Stay on smaller, simpler, well supported terrain where you can have fun with reduced risk if something unexpected should occur. "
Which is more in line with my skill set at this point.
At any rate it looks like it may take a while for this storm to clear out at the Coq tomorrow.......may go up on Saturday instead and ride dirt at McNutt tomorrow.
It's all good
-Dennis
Thinking of heading up tomorrow morning for some "skilz" practice on this new snow.
Tricouni meadows or perhaps Brandwine Rental Bowl/Playland.
I would be leaving around 1:30 or so would plan an earlyish start.
Ended up at Tricouni meadows last Saturday and it was stunning in the sun and 35cm pow!
-Dennis
post or pm if interested
Tricouni meadows or perhaps Brandwine Rental Bowl/Playland.
I would be leaving around 1:30 or so would plan an earlyish start.
Ended up at Tricouni meadows last Saturday and it was stunning in the sun and 35cm pow!
-Dennis
post or pm if interested
I am just a little curious as to how the snow conditions for the Coq is? I live in Washington, about 45 minutes from the boarder, and the snow conditions do not like so promising for the area that I normally ride in. I have been itching to get on the sled. So if the conditions do not improve here in Washington then I might have to give Coq a try if the snow is good there.
The conditions at the coq this past weekend were the best all season, powder over the handlebars but looks like the conditions for this week into weekend are gonna be crap, freezing level into the alpine and no new snow this week!
