Real Ski Report: Shirts optional as warm temperatures roll through the Rockies
Pack your sunscreen! Sunshine and slush in mountain forecast
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 heading to the mountains this weekend, you may want to pack your beach wear.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 11 C at Lake Louise, Fernie, Kimberley. It will be a little cooler elsewhere — but not by much.
Not much snow has fallen this week, either.
"Miracle March didn't really deliver," said Sue Shih, our Sunshine Village ski reporter.
"It's full-on spring conditions right now."
Shih said it's not worth going up the hill until lunch time when the sun comes out and softens up the snow. If you're keen to get out early, be aware that it will be very, very icy.
It's been a slow week for snowfall at Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Panorama, Norquay and Nakiska — pretty much everywhere but Castle Mountain
Earlier this week, a surprise storm snuck up on this little corner of the province, hammering the hill with more than 100 cm of fresh snow.
Conditions have warmed up and with a bit of rain yesterday on the lower mountain — it seems the opportunity for the big powder stashes there has passed. The resort also closes for the season on Sunday, April 3 as does COP.
Wet conditions on cross-country trails
In an attempt to stretch out the season for as long as possible, ski reporter Bob Truman has been busting out his waxless skis.
"That storm that came through a few days ago dumped a fair bit of snow in Peter Lougheed. So they've got some nice, new, clean snow to groom. But it's wet snow."
The trails in the north end of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park are starting to get skinnier and skinnier — something Truman calls "trail creep."
It's a sign that the season is wrapping up.
While the grooming team out in Kananskis is planning to keep going into next week, it will focus on the higher elevation trails up around Elk Pass.
High danger rating in backcountry
As the mercury rises on Friday, avalanches are expected to spike dramatically.
The Avalanche Canada bulletin has given most of Kananaskis and the national parks high danger ratings, so if you do decide to go out, tread cautiously.
With files from the Calgary Eyeopener and Paul Karchut.
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