Kolapore received a significant layer of freezing rain last night.  The freezing rain brought down many branches - there is a huge amount of pickup to be done.  Please help us!   The snow layer is thin to non-existent.  The trails won't be skiable until we do pickup and get a substantial amount of new snow.

Kolapore Trail Guide

I was out early this morning, and the snow at the snow gauge has settled to about 16 cm.  There is less than half that depth under the ski track.  This is OK on former bush lanes (County Forest was very pleasant this morning), but it is really thin on rocky trails, and especially on rocky hills.  Unless you are a Kolapore fanatic, with a pair of rock skis, I would recommend staying off the rockier trails until we get more snow.   Kolapore Trail Guide

The Kolapore snow gauge is at 22 cm (9").  The County Forest is very pleasant - it's possible to ski around it and only touch a few rocks.  Today I did the loop Kingsway - Jackrabbit - John's Portage, and my skis hit dozens of rocks.  It's possible to ski the trails, but you have to be prepared for early season conditions, and rock skis are strongly recommended.  Rocks will make some of the hills quite difficult (nasty?).  I did a lot of pickup today, and have to go back to do more sawing.  Be prepared for debris on the trails - help us (and other skiers) by removing windfall where possible.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received a substantial amount of snow last night and this morning.   There is 23 cm of snow at the official snow gauge.  Skiing in County Forest was pleasant this morning - my rock skis only touched a few rocks.  Even the southwest corner of the County Forest is skiable, which isn't always the case early in the season.  I would still be reluctant to visit some of the rockiest trails (including the Kolapore Church - Paradise Highway loop.)  If you do want to ski at the north end, the Kolapore parking lot was plowed this afternoon

Kolapore Trail Guide

There is now about 10+ cm of snow in the bush.  As I noted previously, we need about 20 cm (especially at the beginning of the season, with no firm base) to start covering the rocks.  Hopefully that will come soon.

Kolapore Trail Guide

There is about 7cm/3" of snow in the bush at Kolapore.  In the early season I think we need at least 20 cm to start skiing on the less rocky trails.  I'll post frequently as conditions change.  There's been a gap in posts because I've been in Australia, and Stephen, the other principal poster, is in Bhutan for several years.  We need more skiers to provide trail updates!

Kolapore Trail Guide

I skied out from the parking lot for a couple of hundred metres past Junction 18. The snow coverage over the rocks is not sufficient for a good ski.  With warmer weather coming it could be a while. For now, stick to the County Forest area.

I skied a number of trails in the County Forest area today.  All were in very good condition.  There were a few wet spots in the low areas and I nicked one or two rocks but overall it was superb.

Reminder: winter trails are for skiing only, no snowshoes no hiking

I left Kolapore on Tuesday, so I don't have first hand information, but I do know that the "glorious" conditions that existed on Monday are past.  With the melting that is inevitably happening with the strong sun, the ski season is probably over (except for the most fanatical, who may be able to find pockets of skiable snow).  Kolapore trail guide

Yesterday I had an enjoyable ski breaking trail through County Forest and up Kingsway.  However, after noon the snow was warming and our skis were clumping and icing.  Today I started skiing at 8 AM, and had 2 hours of wonderful skiing.  Beautiful tracks with a trace of new powder overnight.  And the forest was beautiful - every branch covered with snow.  Lots of photo stops.  I'm afraid that the skiing will deteriorate quickly as the snow warms - clumping conditions.   Kolapore Trail Guide