Kolapore received 6 cm of snow yesterday and overnight.  Given the poor base conditions (thin and icy, with rocks showing through), this isn't enough to provide enjoyable skiing.  However, the forecast is promising, so we may have some decent skiing this weekend.  I'll do an update later Wednesday about how much of the promised snow arrives.

Kolapore Trail Guide

With the warm weather we are having, the 10 cm of powder that fell earlier this week (on top of the icy crust) has consolidated to about 2 cm of wet snow.  I don't think that skiing will be enjoyable until we get a substantial amount of new snow.  For those who like spring skiing, there may be some passable sections in the County Forest.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

I skied around County Forest and vicinity this (Wed) afternoon.  The snow gauge shows that there is a total of 28 cm (11") of snow in the bush, of which 10 cm is new powder.  The skiing is mediocre for a number of reasons.  Under the powder there is a hard icy crust.  As I skied along my skis were "skittering" around on the ice, or periodically breaking through the crust.  This will get slightly better after a few skiers have firmed the track.  Lots of rocks and wet areas have re-emerged, and some open areas will only have a thin layer of powder.  You should use rock skis, and take a scraper in case you hit a wet area.  I would strongly recommend staying away from steep or rocky trails.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received a substantial amount of rain yesterday, and lost a lot of snow.  The trails will not be skiable until we get a significant snowfall.  In the interim, please don't walk on the trails - that will just punch holes in the crust.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

:o(

Just off the Southern Cross Quiet Pasture Loop. Can't promise that it will be this way Sunday afternoon but right now it is excellent spring skiing conditions. Recommend sticking to the South entrances this weekend.   The snow will freeze overnight, so it is likely to be icy Sunday morning - the trails will soften in the afternoon.  See you out there.

Trail conditions haven't changed a lot since the weekend.  Ski tracks at the south end are firm and fast.  Some wet areas are still open after the thaw (and will get worse this weekend.)  I would recommend avoiding steep and/or rocky trails, since there is so little base.  Kolapore Trail Guide 

...as one of the people I passed today put it to me in a bit of an understatement. 10 inches at the snow gauge. Some new snow has made a difference but definitely experts only on the Church Loop and Wild Mouse. Skiable with rock skis but quite tricky. County Forest in surprisingly good shape. Watch for wet spots and AVOID THE BRIDGE AT 53!! Probably for the next 48 hours. The river is almost at the deck and it's flooded at the North side.

(I skied County Forest and vicinity Sunday morning.  No new snow in the past 24 hours.  Tracks are firm and fast.  The 10" measurement is a bit misleading, because there are open areas where the snow is down to a few cm.  I would restate Stephen's caution that challenging trails are for experts only at the moment.  Bruce King)

Kolapore has received about 5 cm of snow since the flash freeze this morning.  I think this may be enough to provide passable skiing on some of the flatter and less rocky trails.  We retained a reasonable amount of snow in the forest, but some open fields were bare.  Hills could be very fast/icy.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore had temperatures up to +10 today with rain.  We've lost a lot of snow, but there is still reasonably good coverage in the bush.  The real challenge in the short term is the potential freezing rain tomorrow morning and a rapid freeze.  Once the temperatures drop I think the trails are likely to be a skating rink until we get a substantial amount of snow.  Some wet holes will also be a short term problem.  I will post an update Friday evening.

Kolapore Trail Guide