Snow pack here is 170% of normal...never seen so much snow.
PNWBrit( banned)and I arrived from Prince Rupert and drove to Terrace, BC to rising temp levels but luckily they didn't go up high enough and spoil the powder.
Day started off with a couple of in-bound runs and then we launched into the BC with Gary, a local skier and a TAYer whom I'd house sat for 4 years ago when I found out about Shames.
Avy danger was high in the alpine and considerable in the trees so we stayed off the really big stuff.
Up the t-bar, skins on and hike up to 2nd knoll....dropped a run call Prayer flags...deep pow. Skins on and hike back to the t-bar..up the t-bar...skins on..hike to 3 rd Knoll...same deep pow.
Skins back on...hike up to t-bar...ride the t-bar....skins on ...back up to 3rd knoll.... You get good at transitions when skiing the sidecountry at Shames.
Last run called Burnt Trees then to the bar for a few beers with our Canadian brothers and sisters.
Tremendous vibe here and the locals are so kind and welcoming.
This morning at 8.00 am Brit and I were in a strangers garage getting our ABS bottles filled from a scuba tank. Guy had just woke up and was in his pajamas and Crocs, filling our bottles with compressed air before he went to work. Not unusual..the locals here go out of their way to make visiting skiers feel welcome.
Shames was recently bought by the locals and is Canada's first ski area co-op....very cool.
Love this place.
