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Spring, Spring and then some more Spring!

Open Trail Count @ 85 for Saturday and the
weather network is calling for an overnight low of -2C
which of course means it will be cooler at the summit,
so we're hoping that will be enough to help maintain
the fine surfaces we have. The daytime high is being
forecasted at +8C... Wow, again.

When we get a string of similar days like we have right
now, ie: warm "Plus" Celsius days followed by every night
with "Minus" Celsius nights, it's surprising just how far we
can go in keeping stable snow surfaces.

Here's a sample of what we've been seeing since the
beginning of March. Each day for the past week or so we have elaborated on the
various factors we feel are involved, so for today, we're going
to put some of those highlights here to help form a representation
of the composite picture that explains the fabulous conditions
we have right now.

"What we are looking for from Mother Nature
would firstly be a major blizzard, but if we
can't have that, then we need temps cool enough
that we don't lose our snow surface conditions
too quickly as spring definitely seems to be in
the air, as they say."

"Every night it gets nice and cold helps keep our surfaces
up, so while there may be some "Firm" zones in the
mornings, that's exactly what we need to have happen
to keep our season going."

"The minus for today is that our snow surface can not handle
too many days of heat sources without some melting occurring.

The rate at which this happens in the transition to spring
will be dependent on the fine balance of heat and cold in
a 24 hour cycle, as well as other factors such as wear from
traffic and the eventual spring showers.

One positive retention factor is the ambient frost in the Mountain.
In this case, the thinner layer of snow that our season has
had may also mean that it has been less of an insulating
blanket, allowing the frost from all those -25C nights back
in Dec., Jan., and early Feb. to work deeper into the ground
than might occur if there was a very thick insulating snow
cover.

The amazing durability of our base can only come from its
ability to withstand wear, tear and heat, so we think that
a deep frost level is a primary factor that we are getting the
benefit from now."

"Surface conditions today will be variable due to the
direct sun and warm temps that some areas have gotten
and other areas have been sheltered from. There may be
slick portions to watch out for, so we encourage caution
this morning as you cruise around the Mountain. Speed
can be a dangerous thing if unexpected situations occur
within your pathway. Naturally occurring hazards typical
of Spring conditions are present."

Today's copy of the Official Grooming and Trail status
report, courtesy of http://www.tremblant.ca (If you're looking for more detail than this report contains,
click on "Mountain Reports" above and scroll/select back
through recent dates to see lots of big pics and additional files)

Bottom line: These classic Tremblant spring conditions can't
last forever, so you really need to get to Tremblant A.S.A.P.!


Links:

http://www.tremblant.ca

http://www.tremblant.ca/mountain/winter ... port-e.htm

http://www.tremblant.ca/mountain/trailmap-e.htm

http://www.tremblant.ca/galleries/webcams/index-e.htm

http://translate.google.com/translate_t ... =fr&tl=en#

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAQC0360



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Typical Spring wear patterns for Tremblant, in the sense that
Much of the South and Soleil bottom portions were quite "thick"
and difficult for beginners and intermediates to steer, brake and
maintain control on.

There were signs posted warning people that Soleil, for example,
was only rated "Difficult" and "Very Difficult", or words to that effect.

The Following is not to be confused with criticism, this is an observation
and it reflects on less than ideal decisions by overconfident users.


Many ignored the signs and went anyway, but this was a case
where selecting terrain within your skill level was a vitally
important consideration that you ignored at your own peril.

You didn't have to go more that 200 meters downhill to see it either.
Some of the steeper little pitches on Toboggan were sun-softened
mushy, and people were winging over the crests, then promptly crashing.

What was causing them to crash were big bumps that had been created
by the days traffic over the very soft steeps... and without much direct sight,
speed that may have been controllable on the preceding plateau, was way
too much for the bumps. Folks were either getting launched very high
or just plain old couldn't hang on to it and did a face plant. Not pretty.

We have urged cautious exploration and that means around every bend.
You may NOT assume that surfaces 10 meters farther are identical to the
ones you are on now. 95% of the wrecks we saw could have been completely
avoided with nothing other than speed control appropriate for line-of-sight safety.

Use your heads people, highly variable spring conditions include hazards
that should be negotiated very slowly, not at warp-speed without so much as
a thought.

So then, with that over, we turn to the North Side that was in very good condition
overall, top to bottom. P'tit Bonuer was smooth and almost perfect. Once again,
typical, as it gets early shade and much less direct sunlight to begin with.

More in a little while, but here's a "Last Run" pic...

The weather front was sitting right over Tremblant, but
at least it wasn't rain! Can you spot the sightseeing chopper?




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