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Fairview, Part of Moraine

Report Submitted by Ray Yong
(trip) Date: Tuesday Apr 04, 2023

Submitted: Tuesday Apr 04, 2023 at 22:24

Participants:

Julie, Me

Discussion:

Headed out to Fairview for what is probably the last time this season. All the winter signage has been removed, so walkers and snowshoers have been going at it. There was about 5 cm of fresh snow, and temp was -2 around noon. Even though there hasn't been any machine tracksetting, the trail is in surprisingly good condition, and I had one of my nicest skis there all season. The walkers generally only went as far as the snofa (whoever came up with that name is brilliant), so once you get to the hill, you've left all the bootprints behind.

Only made it part way up Moraine due to time constraints, but it was really, really quiet. Saw only 3 people, and evidence of only a handful on the trail prior to me. Trail was skier trackset on the old machine grooming. As you'd expect snow was soft, but not sticky. Overall, wish I'd had enough time to make it all the way. Much better conditions on both trails than I was expecting.

Fairview, after the worst of the bootprints

Fairview, top of the hill

MLR

Fairview meadow

4 comment(s) posted

Comments:

2023-04-05 at 00:15 - comment by MaSid

For the record, it’s actually “snowfa”, with a “w”. But both work. Helen was asking me about how that name came to be this eve. I used to call it a “snow couch”, and the west elk pass couch became “couch headquarters”, as the main/central location for an annual always available couch. It’s been in that location annually for about 15 years now (crazy!). The other main spot, for not as many years at all, is the east elk pass site, what I was calling “couch headquarters 2.0”, or “Couch H2.0” (being made of water and all). So in the latest branding type discussions one has with young friends, the subject came up of better nomenclature. The amalgamated version of snow couch, I.e.”Snouch”, just doesn’t work for some reason. And one of the young friends suggested “Snowfa”, much more pleasant verbiage. So here we are, pleasantly relaxing in “SnowfaLand”, at least when the backs aren’t melted out. I won’t likely be maintaining them for the rest of the season but hope to see you all at a snowfa next season, wherever they may be. They could just crop up anywhere, but always in a sunny wind protected spot with good views. There will also be a map/guidebook (call it a leaflet) produced before next season indicating all the great off-trail meadow touring routes and snowfa locations in the Elk Pass area that have been explored over the years. Included with that will also be some instructions on how to build your own “snowfa” efficiently and effectively. Anyone can do it and the materials are readily available. Just gotta pick a good spot that works. This new material will be available via the skier roger web site resource tab, thanks to the kindly support of Roger. Cheers!