The pattern of each winter’s snowfall accumulations and depletion is different. We know this based on our snow shoveling efforts around home. How do Larch Hills’ measured snow depths in early January 2023 and early March 2023 compare with the average snow depths measured over the past 17 ski seasons? What trends can be inferred based on our measurements?
Early January 2023 measured snow depths were 8% above the 17 year average at the Chalet -1000M elevation, about average at S. Hub -1050 elevation and 11% less than the 17 year average at Cec’s Cabin.
Mid-January high temps of +5C, +6C and +8C, in Salmon Arm and a total of ~30mm of rain during some warm periods resulted in significant snow settling and ice crust.
Early March 2023 measured snow depths were well above the 17 year average at all four measured elevations, especially in the 1000M (25% more than average) to 1100M “Core Area” trails elevations (22% more than average). Ideal snow weather arrived in mid to late February and continued into early March! A very good Larch Hills ski season! See table below.
Click to enlarge graph and table
2007 – 2023 Measured Snow Depths:
Minimums, Maximums and 17-Year Averages
March 4, 2023
- The minimum early March snow depth measured at the Chalet were on April 2, 2015: 0 cm and March 4, 2010: 4 cm. Snow was trucked from Manning Park to the Vancouver North Shore mountains for the Alpine events that February for the 2010 Winter Olympics. South Hub’s minimum measured snow depth was also on March 4, 2010: 58 cm
- The maximum early March snow depth measured at the Chalet was March 5, 2018: 106 cm. March 5, 2018 measured snow depths were also the deepest for the 2007 – 2023, 17 year measurement period: South Hub: 130 cm, Cec’s Cabin: 157 cm, the Larch Hills Summit: 181 cm.
- 17-Yr. Average early March snow depths measured at the Chalet (1000M elevation) is 63 cm. South Hub (1050M elevation) is 94 cm. Cec’s Cabin (1200M elevation) is 111 cm. The Larch Hills Summit (1400M elevation) is 127 cm.
2007 – 2023, 17-Years of measured Snow Depths: Trend Lines Inferences
See graph below. Click to enlarge. Click again to magnify.
- Chalet Elevation, 1000M measured snow depths remained about same over 17-year period.
- South Hub, 1050M measured snow depths increased by about 13% over the 17-year period.
- Cec’s Cabin, 1200M measured snow depths decreased by about 12% over the 17-year period.
- Summit, 1400M measured snow depths decreased by about 18% over the 17-year period.
Click to enlarge graph
Reports:
- Snow Trends in the Thompson River Basin (November 2006): a report by LHNS Member
Bill Grainger for LHNS – Nov. 14, 2006 - Regional Changes in Snowpack in B.C. (1950-2014): a report by Environmental Reporting BC
- BC River Forecast Centre Automated Snow Pillow Real-Time Data: Park Mtn 1800M elevation (est. 1984): – located between Sugar Lake and Mabel Lake. Note the big jump in measured snow depths (blue line) in mid-late February 2023
Contacts:
If you have questions or would like to participate in one of four Winter 2023 snow depths measurements skis to the Summit or part way please contact George at 250-832-9335 or Keith at 250-832-7768. Skiing time to the Summit and back to the Parking Lot including measurements, breaks and lunch at the Summit is about 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on snow conditions.
