President's Day

Gustave Lake Pow

February 21st, 2011

Video TR: "Shad" ow skiing!

Had plans for a long day in the backcountry on President's Day. I had the day off from work, and the latest storm cycle cooperated- nearly a foot of fresh pow and bluebird conditions. Woke up to very cold temps though- below zero. My ol' Subaru's battery finally died, and since my wife picked this day to get her oil changed- she was depending on my car. Which meant an extra 2 hrs of me running around fixing crap. Oh well. Finally made it up the road to Bruces around 10am. I was still the first sled in the parking lot. Snowmachiners are a lazy bunch I guess. Ha! Anyhoo, I soon discovered some pretty killer sledding conditions. Nobody had touched the trail for Fiddlers Lake to Christina lake since the last storm. I got to break trail through a foot of pow all the way in. It was pretty fun! Was hoping to get further that Gustave, but since I was by myself, I figured it would be the safest option. Conditions were ripe for 10 inch plus soft or wind slab avis.

Pretty much what the trail looked like for near five miles. Hard to find in places.

Looking back on my way in, fresh tracks- even before I got off the sled.

After a 45 minute sled ride, I was skinning up the hill.

Headed up.

First look at a pristine powder field. Mouth watering at this point.

Mmm, mmm, good!

My first few turns- best pow I've had for near a month!

Good stuff! Gustave Lake below.

A few runs later (got seven laps/ 4hrs in all total)

Just a little wind effected up top- not bad at all though, and it just got better all the way down.

One of many interesting little hucks that were ripe.

Looking back- click to enlarge- you can see some of my lines.

The end of another fantastic powder day in the Winds!