Bariloche, Argentina Conditions Report: Bluebird Powder Day

Miles Clark |
Freeride World Tour competitor Niki Salencon.
Freeride World Tour competitor Niki Salencon tearing up the carton pow today in La Laguna.

[I want to give big props for Catedral ski resort opening the Nubes chair today.  It’s been closed for about a week (essentially for the season) due to the trails accessing it having completely burned out.  There was simply no snow left on the trails accessing the base of the Nubes chair.  The recent storm dropped enough snow for the trails to be covered and groomed once more.  Catedral was great and opened Nubes right away this morning by 10am.  Thanks Catedral.  Nubes is the best chair at this mountain and I call her “The Southern Mothership”.]

Miles' track on the left down La Laguna today.
The author’s track down La Laguna today.

Catedral ski resort in Bariloche, Argentina just experienced two days of big, late season snowfall.  The storm completely closed the mountain down on Tuesday, we had a great storm day yesterday, and despite a forecast of more big snow today, we got bluebird.

Snowboarder ripping down Laguna today.
Snowboarder ripping down Laguna today.

I hiked up Nubes straight away and the snow was funky.  It felt wind-pressed, sun-affected, and punchy.  Still fun, buy funky for sure.

First tracks down Nubes today.
First tracks down Nubes today.

From Nubes, I headed to La Laguna’s “Playground”.  The Playground was good, but the snow was a touch funky as well.  Hidden rocks were everywhere and you had to be kinda dumb to jump off rocks.  Obviously, I did and I hit a ton of rocks and had some close calls.

Local hucker in Laguna today.
Local hucker in Laguna backcountry today.

I did two more laps in Laguna proper and the snow had a one-inch wind crust, “carton,” on top.  As long as you were going fast, it wasn’t much of a hinderance.  Landings were soft and good.

Niki hitting the "Burns Chute"
Niki hitting the “Burns Chute”

After three laps in Laguna I was satisfied.  I hooked up with Jibbin crew and charged around Nubes for a handful of laps.  The snow was chopped up, fun, and fast.  I actually enjoyed it more than when it was fresh that morning.  Great to have Nubes back in action.  We’ve only got until the 30th before she closes, so go get some.

One good turn in Laguna.
One good turn in Laguna.

AVALANCHE OBSERVATIONS:

Testing continued to show good bonding between the old and new snow.  I saw some very small and very shallow pockets rip out here and there but they were insignificant.  I did not see any avalanches today.

Niki all along in the run out of Laguna.
Niki all along in the run out of Laguna.

BARILOCHE FORECAST:

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