The Mountainwatch Guide to Skiing in a Blizzard – Snow Journal
Storm days are the best days – make the most of them! Image:: Thredbo
Mountainwatch | Kate Allman
Not all ski days look like a Warren Miller film – with bluebird skies, no wind and waist-deep powder. In reality, the best snow often comes with blizzard conditions. But, as Australian snowboarder and two-time Boardercross World Champion, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin says, that’s no excuse to sit inside and sip lattes all day.
“A white-out day can be like a 2-foot onshore day of surfing,” says Chumpy. “It can look pretty rough, but more times than not, if you get out there it can actually be a lot of fun.”
Matt Smith is an Australian Professional Snowsport Instructors (APSI) Level 4 instructor and the Training Manager at Thredbo Snow Sports School. During his 54 seasons working in ski resorts around the world, he has skied in his fair share of blizzards. So what are his hot tips for skiing – and even enjoying – poor weather conditions?
Visibility might be low during a storm but the snow is usually the best. Image:: Perisher
Get prepared
“Get prepared with equipment,” says Smith. “Because as soon as you start to get cold or uncomfortable, the skiing becomes unenjoyable. “
Freezing finger tips are a certain mood-killer, so you’ll need a quality pair of gloves. Smith recommends Hestra gloves with a Goretex or CZone outer layer that will make sure your hands stay dry.
Smith also says to invest in a good pair of goggles with low-light lenses that are pink, orange or yellow. Stay away from blue colours because they don’t pick up contrasts in the snow, and you won’t see that huge icy mogul until you’re scraping over the top of it.
The trees! Head for the trees! Image:: Thredbo
Layer up
Wear a few thin layers of merino wool or thermals under your snow jacket, and don’t forget to button up your powder belt! Thin thermal layers have the added benefit of being small and light enough to take off and shove in a jacket pocket if you get too hot shredding the fresh snow.
Accessorise with a face mask or balaclava to protect your skin from the wind – which tends to pepper any uncovered skin with burning shots of snow and ice. According to Smith, masks are particularly important in the Australian Alps, where we tend to get a lot of high-velocity wind.
Stick to the trees
“High alpine runs in low visibility are never a good idea,” says Smith. “When the light is low or you lose visibility, look for contrast and stick to the trees mid-mountain.”
Trees offer wind protection, and tend to accumulate great powder stashes between them. If you’re not a confident skier, stay behind someone who is and follow their line.
“If you follow an experienced skier you will see their knees bounce over lumps and bumps,” says Smith. “That will give you a couple of seconds’ warning before you hit it yourself.”
Pick a ski for the snow conditions
There aren’t many days that you can march out to the slope on skis as fat as two mini-snowboards. A blizzard is one of them – so make the most of it! Skis that are a little wider underfoot (anything over 85mm) will provide a little more flotation and make your turns easier in the powder. For snowboarders, try a powder board with a fish tail and pointy nose, to lean back and experience a surfy, smooth ride that feels completely different to boarding on-piste.
If you’re unsure what size ski or board you should be going for, head to the demo centre or ski shop and ask for advice. Staff are usually more than happy to make sure you get the right shredding tools.
Enjoy!
This is the most important tip. As Smith says, “The blizzards in Australia are unique in that we get that wind-blown powder at the top. As you ski, your tracks fill in and you get fresh lines very time. That’s pretty amazing.”
So next time you wake up to white-out, don’t just head to the nearest cafe. Follow these tips to get out there and have a great time.
