Warm day at The Nipple

Warm and sunny day around Blue Lakes today. Calm winds observed until NE winds picked up in the mid-afternoon. Roller balls and sticky surface snow observed on sunny slopes, and signs of settlement in the recent snow. Still excellent riding conditions, especially in shaded trees.

Pic 1: Low angle north aspects were still getting enough sun to become wet at the surface and push/clump ahead of my snowmobile. On sunnier slopes, drainage channels were forming at the surface. We avoided steep sunny slopes in the afternoon. I did have good views of large, steep sunny slopes, and only saw roller ball activity, but no wet loose avalanches.

Pic 2: Reverse tracks above Lost Lakes from recent NE winds. Although winds picked up in the afternoon, very limited wind transport was observed.