It is so cold outside here. There is snow on the ground and sledding is a common activity. What we don’t have much of, though, is skiing and snowboarding. I know that there are some huge fans of both that visit here though, so I wanted to share this post from Scott Boland. Enjoy!
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Whistler Blackcomb is one of the best places in the world to ski. At the same time, it’s one of the most dangerous. Here are a few things you should be aware of before you head out to the slopes this season.
Know The Conditions and Avalanche History
It’s snow. It’s mountainous. That’s a recipe for avalanche – not something you want to experience firsthand. Avalanches do happen on Whistler, and you should know the history in the area you’ll be skiing as well as the current weather conditions. Whistler Blackcomb publishes these conditions on its website, so check them out before you head for the slopes.
The resort publishes a three-day avalanche hazard forecast with ratings like “low,” “moderate,” and “considerable.” The risk of an avalanche is based on a number of things that include the snowfall, the number of people skiing, and and the snowpack.
Knowing the current weather conditions can also help you better enjoy your time at Whistler. In general, you will want to know what the travel conditions are, whether it’s forecasted to rain, sleet, or snow, what the temperatures are at elevation and at the base of the mountain, what the activity is (precipitation), and how much snow is melting, if any.
Snowpack describes the layers of snow that accumulate on the mountain. Knowing the surface hoar and the storm snow will give you a good idea of how “ski-able” the area you want to ski down is.
Have a Place To Stay Booked In Advance
Before you come to ski, you should book a place to stay. These Whistler luxury hotels will put you in close proximity to the resort, and it’ll give you a place to retreat to when it gets too cold or when the sun goes down. A lot of skiers do just come for the day, and leave at night, but if you plan on skiing for multiple days in a row, getting hooked up with a hotel is a good idea.
Dress Appropriately For The Mountain
You’d assume that wearing as many layers as possible is always a good move. But that’s not always true. You’ll want a good base layer of wool, with a waterproof outer shell and a few layers between to keep you insulated.
Wool wicks away moisture, and is one of the best base layers you can have on you. But, at the same time, wool keeps you warm. Insulating layers help keep you even warmer, but they should be easy to remove if you get too warm. believe it or not, this is possible, even when it’s freezing outside. And, the last thing you want to do is sweat in freezing weather.
A waterproof shell helps keep moisture from snow out.
Always wear safety gear like goggles and a hat, along with the appropriate gloves and skis you feel comfortable with.
Ski At Your Level
Never take on more mountain than you can handle. If you’re a beginner, stick with the beginner slopes.
Scott Boland, a semi-retired mechanic and avid blogger, is always searching for new places to visit. When he finds them, he shares them by posting online. Look for his articles on travel and outdoor blogs.
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