Let's go skiing!

The Diamondhead area is home to many low grade, low commitment routes, such as a run or two off of Round Mountain or a snappy cruise to Elfin Hut to explore the Gargoyles. Recent trips and trip reports suggest that the area is packed with optimal snow at the moment. However, participants should be prepared and able to carry skis up an FSR, hopefully only briefly. 

I am a moderate/intermediate skier (I cut my teeth trying to telemark in the Canadian Rockies), meaning I can get down 30 degree plus stuff if the snow is good, but slow down a fair amount in bad conditions. I like to think I can survival ski most things. I have been skiing the Coast Mountains for about 11 years on an AT set up (failing horribly at telemarking). I have taken my AST2, and have participated in several beacon practices. My pace is moderate, meaning we'll get to the top, but I won't be breaking any records. I've been up Round Mountain a few times this season, and I'm down for busting out and giving the day a try irrespective of the gloomy snow conditions.

You are a moderate or better skier or splitboarder. You should be able to connect a few turns and move at a good pace on the up and down track. Familiarity with backcountry terrain would be an asset, though some competency at the ski resort is acceptable. You have AST1 or some avalanche education equivalent (thems the rules!), and are ready to participate in the organization of the trip. Wanna go hard and fast? This might not be the trip for you unless you are cool with dialling it back a bit. But, I will try to screen and select people that seem to mesh in fitness and skill.

This is a day trip, so plan accordingly. Headlight and avalanche rescue equipment is a must. I am keeping the absolute objective open to group discussion - failing that, we can poke around Round Mountain and see if we can find some turns. The area requires winter tires, and chains will be required to park in the higher lot (about 1 km further up the road). Carpooling will be negotiated in the forum.

See "Exploring the Coast Mountains on Skis (Baldwin) for more details on the area. Another great resource is: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Round-Mountain-volcano/forecasts/1646. 

Meet up time will be 7AM at St. David's Church off of Taylor Way. We will aim to leave by 7:15AM, and arrivals past that time will be considered no shows.

I am open to a WhatsApp group, which tends to work more effectively then the BCMC forum. If you would like to join "BCMC Moderate Backcountry Skiers", to discuss the details of this trip or some general questions about all things backcountry skiing, send me your phone number and I'll hook you up. Please remember to let me know if you'd like to be removed from the group after the fact.