Birdwood - Smuts ski traverse . About 16kms and 1100 meters elevation. Skiing time, probably about 6 hours.

I would like this to be a carpool trip, for various reasons...

The route passes through a fair amount of Avy terrain, but the rating, being what it is - the route should be a safe bet as long as there's not a lot of new snow.

Starting from the Burstall Pass trailhead, and skiing out via Commonwealth Creek. It's best if we have 2 vehicles, or somebody will be hitchhiking or walking 45 minutes or so up the road to retreive the vehicle at Burstall Trailhead. 

We leave the Burstall Pass trail at the flats below Burstall Pass, skiing up to Birdwood Pass. There's a short steep section on the way up where ski crampons could come in handy, or one can boot it up instead. Down the valley on the other side - usually good turns, before skinning up to climb to Smuts Pass. A short descent, down to a small lake, before Smuts Pass, which is usually wind blasted. The long descent down to Commonwealth Creek is often wind blasted at the top, or can occasionally be good turns. The skiing improves as you transition down into mature open forest before the valley bottom. From there, skiing 3 - 4km out to the road. 

Avy transceiver(modern digital unit), shovel & probe. Minimum AST1 or RAC & experience. Headlamp. Food and drink. Must be fully vaccinated to carpool.

Hwy 40, Smith-Dorrien Road

Exit Trans Canada at Valley Ridge exit. Visible on the right, as you enter Valley Ridge is a park with outdoor rink & soccer fields.  The gravel parking lot where we meet is accessed from Valley Meadow Close NW.