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.”
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.”
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.”
“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.
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”.
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.
