Oh, what a difference a month—and a week of sunshine—can make.
In our last instalment of Ski-Town Rundown on Feb. 29, we were buried under the weighty excitement of 80 or so forecasted centimetres.
It’s true. It really happened. I watched the snow pile up outside my window overnight. It kept me snowed in for an entire production day.
It feels like another lifetime.
As of March 26, Whistler Blackcomb had a base depth of about 231 centimetres—well above the 154 centimetres reported as of Feb. 29.
The latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin for the province won’t be posted until April 10, but as of March 15, the provincial average snowpack was at about 72 per cent of median, up from 69 per cent on March 1.
In the Lower Fraser Basin, which includes Whistler, the snow basin index had climbed to about 53 per cent of normal as of March 1, but was still well below a normal year.
While winter did arrive, eventually, it didn’t stay long.
All that snow I watched pile up outside my window lasted all of one week in the sun, and Whistler Blackcomb is now gearing up for spring operations.
Here’s a high-level view of headlines from other ski resorts as March comes to a close.
THE BIG WAIT
Whistler’s big wait for decent snow this season was mirrored in resorts around the province, as was the late February storm sequence that buried B.C.’s mountains.
And once all that snow finally arrived, the warm temperatures didn’t discriminate in taking much of it back.
According to Environment Canada, high-temperature records were broken in 38 B.C. communities on Sunday, March 17.
Merritt was the warmest place in Canada that day, at 23.2 C.
The temperature spike led to some spicy conditions in the backcountry, and a special public avalanche warning was issued for much of the province in mid March.
Serious incidents were few given the conditions, but according to Avalanche Canada, a 58-year-old man from Alberta died in an avalanche near Revelstoke on March 3.
It was the second B.C. avalanche death this year, after a snowmobiler died in an avalanche in northeastern B.C. Jan. 27.
Fortunately, as of this writing, things have settled in the backcountry, with Avalanche Canada predicting relatively smooth-sailing in the days ahead. But as always, exercise caution.
Tragedy struck Sun Peaks Resort last week, when a skier died after colliding with a tree.
According to a statement from the resort, the man was found near a beginner trail on Mount Morrisey after the March 21 incident.
“While enjoying the mountain environment is not without risk, events of this nature are rare, and we strive to provide a safe environment for everyone,” the statement said. “At this time, our focus is supporting those in need, including our employees who attended to the injured guest and have been involved with this situation.”
I DIDN’T HEAR NO BELL
It ain’t over yet.
Warm weather and high temperatures may be dashing dreams of another winter resurgence here at home, but the snow is still falling south of the border.
Ski areas around Park City, Utah were anticipating up to 38 centimetres to close out March, according to forecasts from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Snowpack in that state was sitting at 124 per cent of average as of Monday, March 25.
“Our statewide snowpack has been consistently above normal since the beginning of February, which has really put Utah in a good position as we head into spring,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, said in a press release.
The fun isn’t over here in Whistler, either.
As March comes to a close, Whistler Blackcomb’s focus shifts to spring operations, with one eye to the summer, and the 25th anniversary of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.
Both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains will remain open for winter operations until April 14, after which skiing and riding will shift to Whistler Mountain exclusively, with Blackcomb closing for the season to accommodate lift maintenance requirements, and to continue on the Jersey Cream project, which will upgrade the current 4-pack to a high-speed 6-pack chairlift ahead of the winter 2024-25 season.
The final day for skiing and riding in the 2023-24 season is May 20 (conditions permitting).
Throughout the spring, lifts will spin daily for both skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain. Sightseeing on Whistler Village Gondola is open until May 20, before shifting over to Blackcomb Gondola on May 21 through to June 14. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola will remain closed for maintenance before reopening for summer sightseeing on June 15.
“We are so grateful to our amazing guests and community for their support this season, and we know we’ll end on a high note,” said Whistler Blackcomb COO Belinda Trembath in a release.
