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Spring Skiing (and Ripping) with Dana Flahr

Dana Flahr

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Top Photo: Dana Flahr in motion. PHOTO BLAKE JORGENSON

After a winter that continuously pummeled Whistler with big, epic snow storms spring skiing conditions are really stellar this year (we skied to the parking lot on Monday May 8, that is almost unheard of). But spring skiing is not just about the snow.

“For me, it’s mainly about the sunshine,” says local big mountain skier Dana Flahr. “I thoroughly enjoy the sunshine, but also the mellow vibes and fun times with no need to head down early because the sun stays up much later than winter.”

Dana Flahr knows steeps. PHOTO ANDREW BRADLEY

Spring Steeps: Riding Tips

To take advantage of the great late-season snowpack we reached out to Dana for some tips on skiing and riding the spring steeps.

“Spring is a great time to get on the steeps because the snow is so consistent,” Dana says. “Once it reaches that proper temperature your edges hold very well and it makes for a really fun experience to be able to consistently know what each turn is going to feel like.”

Another fine spring day (with some good-looking steeps in the background). PHOTO MIKE CRANE

Of course, spring steep skiing is still steep skiing so you need the skills to handle the terrain, but even on the sunniest spring day, there are few extra things to consider.

“Definitely pay attention to the temperatures,” Dana says. “If it’s extremely warm in the valley you want to head up right away, if it’s cooler maybe give the alpine a bit of time to warm and soften up. And pay attention to the aspects—stuff in the shade takes longer to soften up and if you take a fall on a steep run that has frozen overnight it might take you a long, long time to slow down.”

Dom Melanson navigates some super steeps on Blackcomb Mountain, open until May 22, 2017. PHOTO ANDREW BRADLEY

“But also, as the day warms up you need to be conscious of cornice hazards,” Flahr explains, adding that although Whistler Blackcomb ski patrol work diligently to minimize the risk of a cornice warming up and falling down the slope, it’s always wise to be very aware of where you are skiing and what is above, below and all around you.

While Whistler Mountain has been closed since late April, Blackcomb will remain open until May 22, 2017 (hello, Gaper Day!). For good steeps Dana recommends alpine gems like Chainsaw Ridge, Pakalolo, Pipeline and, on a good snow year like this, the lines off Spanky’s Traverse. “And of course, you can’t talk spring steeps without mentioning the Couloir Extreme, that is such a historical classic.

May 10, 2017: Party up top, relax down low. Spring in Whistler is multi-sport time PHOTO JUSTA JESKOVA

More Than Just Skiing

One of Dana’s favourite things about spring skiing has nothing to do with skiing at all. Spring in Whistler is a multi-sport paradise so skiing steeps can actually be cherry on the top of an epic day.

“That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the temperatures,” he says. “If you jump the gun on a cool day you’ll be skiing boilerplate for half the day when you could have been enjoying the skate park, a nice bike ride or a mellow breakfast in the Village.”

Check out Whistler.com for more ideas of how to enjoy spring, and stay tuned for next winter to see Dana ripping all kinds of local terrain in the Whistler Blackcomb film “Magnetic”.

Spring is also the best time of the season to get creative with your ski outfits and posse up – photo from the 2017 Jon Bon Jovi Invitational on Blackcomb Mountain. PHOTO JEFF SLACK
Spring Avalanche Conditions: Not to be Underestimated:
Avalanche conditions for backcountry travel can vary through spring and must be taken into account before planning any travel out of bounds. Read more at Avalanche.ca and Wayne Flann’s blog.
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