Campbell Icefield Chalet Off-Trail skiing on 12-Jan-2024

This is a true story. The events occurred North of Donald in the polar vortex year of 2024.To protect the survivors the names have been changed. Out of respect for the frozen the rest has been told exactly as it happened.

Saturday

The helipad minus 35 . Warmer at our arrival at Campbell lodge . Minus 32.

38 below lets ski this polar vortex are we men or mice

Once settled in we had a safety meeting . It is all about the avi hazard and reducing risk. Then 8 very hardy souls went up Paradise dug two pits and went for a ski . Snow quality was bad, silky smooth then 5 cm wind crust. There were double heel release falls and this was the A team . The B team sheltered by the stove and took solace in liquid refreshment . Hydration is so important.

Snow study

Every morning after breakfast a safety meeting led by Doug and Fred . Avi risk assesment and what needed to be done to reduce risk, where we were going, and what we would ski .

Every evening a self catered meal . Appies , main course , and dessert . The quality ranged from exceptional to fantastic. It seemed a contest of cooking skills – every trip appears to be half skiing,

half cooking competition.

Campbell lodge the Dome , Bluewater and Thunder mtn behind

Through the week the temp slowly climbed but the cold affected the equipment and where we skied . Skins did not stick.

No wind and sun made a big difference . We found silky smooth slow cold snow with boot top to knee deep ski pen . The low col (Saddle) , the Waitabit , and traverse to the Campbell icefield were wind hammered. So these go-to spots were not skied . Christmas trees , the Glades , Camel humps ,Murphy’s Law, Murphy’s Trees , The fan and Thunder bowl were all very good . 20 cm new snow in the week gave a small refresh however a major wind event midweek eliminated a lot of terrain .

The pictures tell the true story .