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A great day at WBC
Report Submitted by Alf Skrastins
(trip) Date: Saturday Apr 15, 2023
Submitted: Saturday Apr 15, 2023 at 23:00
Participants:
2 of us + a bear
Discussion:
The recent melt-freeze cycles and several snow flurries in recent days meant that the West Bragg Creek trails were getting set up for nice April skiing. A -10C overnight freeze told me that this would be a good day.
We started on the Sundog and the Crystal Lines, then took Mountain View to West Meadow and Tom Snow... then off trail to Mountain View West. I was pointing out where I had skied a few runs on a cut block, west of Mountain View West, when I noticed a grizzly bear marching across that same cut block. No worries, since that was almost 1 km away from us... but a good reminder that bears are now out and about. We returned via Mountain Road, Mountain View and West Crystal. There was a bit of "catch & release" glide on some of the alternating sun-shade downhills on the way back, but otherwise very good skiing.
The XC trails are multi-use at this time of year and fat-bikers are exploring some of the ski trails. Turns out, that is a very good thing, because the fat tires do a fine job of grooming the snow so that it provides both grip and very good glide. I noticed that most skiers were staying in the fat-bike tracks.
 West Crystal Line. A few cm of new snow on a firm base.
 Mountain View had 100% snow coverage. The bear crossed along the top of that largest cut block in the distance.
 Fat bikes and skiers sharing Mountain View. The fat bike tires did a nice job of "grooming" the snow for improved ski quality.
2 comment(s) posted
Comments:
2023-04-16 at 09:11 - comment by SteveR
Interesting twist on the skier and fat bike relationship. I was away for the first dump in October, but I’m guessing that you are closing in on 6 full months of skiing at WB.
2023-04-16 at 09:57 - comment by Diana Piggott
That looks fantastic! Such a different story from the webcams, which are most discouraging.
Methinks I should get me some bear spray and learn how to use it, after decades of hiking and skiing without!
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