BC Trip, what to expect with these snow conditions
 

We have not had a great year around where I live in regards to snow/avalanche conditions. However with the Below Treeline danger at low we have decided to make a small trip out to a closed down ski area near there we live.

Snow conditions are essentially a harder layer with little fresh snow on top and a thick faceted layer of snow underneath. I realize the hike up will not be fun as the hard layer will not support someone on snowshoes. However what is boarding like in these conditions. The idea would be to hike to the tree line then ride down before finding a good place to set up a kicker and fool around for the afternoon.

Thanks in advance,
-C

Well I made the trip out there this past weekend and while there wasn't a lot of new snow the snow near our destination was nearly waist deep in spots.

Despite the warm weather we have been having the past week there was not much change to the snow pack. It was still a hard layer sitting on top of a thick faceted layer. We showshoed up and had mixed results. We mostly stayed on top of the hard pack but would sometimes break through to the facets underneath which was not much fun at all and made for hard travel.

We achieved out goal of hiking to the top and afterwards finding a nice spot to make a kicker. I've included a couple pictures, the one of me on in the snowshoes shows me on top of the hard layer not breaking through the waist deep snow. The second was my buddy off the kicker with a gorgeous backdrop.

-C

Is that Fortress?

Closed down ski hill in BC? Where is it?

I am sure it's fortress, been down for 4-5 years now. Was a great little place to ride back in the day. It would be haunting to ride there now, like riding in post apocalyptic times.

That is correct it is Fortress, good eye. It closed down during the 06-07 season.

It was quite a hike to get to the top but it is interesting to see all the old building still there. Interestingly we ran into an employee who was working as a maintainer for the old buildings up there. The ski resort has been bought out since the closure and he said there are plans to revamp it with some new lifts and infrastructure. He said look for it to open again in 3ish years.

-C

Fortress was an awesome resort because of all the natural 1/2 pipes it had. Also, because of their elevation they used to get some great snow as well.

How far can you get my 4x4? do you pretty well have to hike/skin the whole road up?

The road has multiple gates on it right at the base so you have to hike/ski the whole way.

Damn, that sucks. I suspect the bridge is not healthy anymore anyway.