Forster 2024-25

[pano-dude]

Currently puking at Panorama, 20cms since midnight and counting.
Grooming report from yesterday there was 20cms fresh at 2pm snows all night I'm that area. Buddy who lives out that way on a farm had 30 on his truck this morning.
Gonna be deep tomorrow.

 

[pano-dude]

Even with the new snow the area is low on snow.
Lots of open water and few stumps and rocks were found today.
Need another meter

 

[Panzerdog]

Good morning my dad was asking me the reason that the glacier is closed until February 15. Thanks

 

[pano-dude]

Good morning my dad was asking me the reason that the glacier is closed until February 15. Thanks

Long story lol. The glacier used to be closed to sleds in the past because of heli skiing. Once RK quit flying there the wvss applied for access, took years and many meetings to get it open. The dates are set so skiers can have the glacier to themselves until then....
The Northstar glacier is still off limits for no apparent reason also, we have been trying to start discussing opening it but neither the government rep nor the skiing community will even respond to the request for meeting.

 

[MP Kid]

Good morning my dad was asking me the reason that the glacier is closed until February 15. Thanks

That’s a damn good question…
And I’ll bet the answer is different depending on who you ask…

If its the environment, we know that’s a load of crap… what’s the difference between February 12 & 18..??

If its about land use issues, that’s also a big pile… I’ve been riding that area consistently since 1988. I have only ever seen a few ski tracks up there in all that time. Even late season, when everyone else is golfing, and the possibility of skiers making huge transverse trips, there’s still no tracks.

 

[MP Kid]

Long story lol. The glacier used to be closed to sleds in the past because of heli skiing. Once RK quit flying there the wvss applied for access, took years and many meetings to get it open. The dates are set so skiers can have the glacier to themselves until then....
The Northstar glacier is still off limits for no apparent reason also, we have been trying to start discussing opening it but neither the government rep nor the skiing community will even respond to the request for meeting.

What year did you move to the valley?

The history goes way back…
Both the glaciers use to be open….
Including others in the area, like Jumbo and Commander…

When the heli ski industry really took off in the mid eighties, that’s when the European money started to influence and infiltrate the government’s decision making process.

“There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark…”

 

[The Kickass One]

Just go ride it… I rode it years ago not knowing it was a closure then… pretty neat area and I believe there is another lodge or something up there and you can loop back to the sled cabin…someone with knowledge chime in….

 

[pano-dude]

What year did you move to the valley?

The history goes way back…
Both the glaciers use to be open….
Including others in the area, like Jumbo and Commander…

When the heli ski industry really took off in the mid eighties, that’s when the European money started to influence and infiltrate the government’s decision making process.

“There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark…”

Been here full-time since 2004, first trip out was 1998.

 

[pano-dude]

Just go ride it… I rode it years ago not knowing it was a closure then… pretty neat area and I believe there is another lodge or something up there and you can loop back to the sled cabin…someone with knowledge chime in….

Yep, there's a cabin on Northstar glacier. Was built or flown by RK heli ski
Also the olive hut on Catamount, it's run by the hut society, same as Dave white in the basin.

 

[The Kickass One]

Yep, there's a cabin on Northstar glacier. Was built or flown by RK heli ski
Also the olive hut on Catamount, it's run by the hut society, same as Dave white in the basin.

Ya I’ve stayed atvDave White several times as well as visit the very cool Olive Hut … Very cool spot

 

[Old Boy]

Ya I’ve stayed atvDave White several times as well as visit the very cool Olive Hut … Very cool spot

Spent a lot of time up on those back in the day when sleds first came out. seem that back then it snowed every day up top.

 

[Lem Lamb]

The Olive is accessible all year long if a person is willing too put in the efforts...

Pack your own lite weigth cook stove and have a coffee up there...

Snow shoe or telemark your way in there the back way,,, they move the 1/2 way cabin down the valley closer too the main...

A bit of effort but well worth it gang...

Most folks over nighting up there will let you in too warm up and have a coffee,,, no big deal if they don't,,, tuck in-behind the wall too block the wind for a 1/2 hour or longer break then hit the trail...

I normally go up there when the wind shears is 60 or 70 mpr so a person gets the full experience of spectacular !!! Lol

*** Big warning too yaa all,,,*** there are 3 or 4 pepole that never got off the North Stars and Galloway Glaciers...

They broke threw on driffed in top crusts falling into the jaggef crevices too never be recouped...

I do believe a skier was the last fellow lost,,, the hole has claimed a few sleds,,, a fellow jumped of his sled on the way down when he came over the rise too see the big opening...

He bailed ship saving his life from the 75 gt drop too the jagged rocks below...

He managed too get stopped before going over the edge,,, his slef flipped up side down and got wedged into the W/N corner... took them 2 days to retrieve the sled...

2 sleds,,, a angled tripod and 2 hand winches to get the sled past the over hanging ledge...

The fellow that went down on the line too hook the sled said it was terrifying working under the Glacier edge...

At least he survived not dropping into the hole...

I'll take a photo of it next time up...

Cheers gang

 

[pano-dude]

The Olive is accessible all year long if a person is willing too put in the efforts...
View attachment 291169

Pack your own lite weigth cook stove and have a coffee up there...

Snow shoe or telemark your way in there the back way,,, they move the 1/2 way cabin down the valley closer too the main...

A bit of effort but well worth it gang...

Most folks over nighting up there will let you in too warm up and have a coffee,,, no big deal if they don't,,, tuck in-behind the wall too block the wind for a 1/2 hour or longer break then hit the trail...

I normally go up there when the wind shears is 60 or 70 mpr so a person gets the full experience of spectacular !!! Lol

*** Big warning too yaa all,,,*** there are 3 or 4 pepole that never got off the North Stars and Galloway Glaciers...

They broke threw on driffed in top crusts falling into the jaggef crevices too never be recouped...

I do believe a skier was the last fellow lost,,, the hole has claimed a few sleds,,, a fellow jumped of his sled on the way down when he came over the rise too see the big opening...

He bailed ship saving his life from the 75 gt drop too the jagged rocks below...

He managed too get stopped before going over the edge,,, his slef flipped up side down and got wedged into the W/N corner... took them 2 days to retrieve the sled...

2 sleds,,, a angled tripod and 2 hand winches to get the sled past the over hanging ledge...

The fellow that went down on the line too hook the sled said it was terrifying working under the Glacier edge...

At least he survived not dropping into the hole...

I'll take a photo of it next time up...

Cheers gang

Big effort get up there under one's own power for sure.
Local guide did a bunch of flying over the glacier this summer and his reports were more and larger crevasses this summer than he's seen before.
We've definitely been way low on snow for years.

 

[pano-dude]

No new snow for a few days, temps warm in the valley and cloud cover.
Westside road was graded from Invermere this morning. No maintenance on the Horsetheif fsr or Forster and it's getting slick. If you're pulling a trailer bring chains or park at dogleg. Honestly it's a better option.
Trail fee collection will be at the 19km, star link available for online purchases Through BCSF Amilia website.