Sugarbowl

With all the recent strong wind, expect to find wind slabs in irregular terrain, even in openings below treeline.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

We haven't received any reports of avalanches over the past couple days, though reports are limited. The AvCan field team did observe shooting cracks in openings (see photo), suggesting that wind slab avalanches could be triggered on steep slopes.

Looking forward, riders could trigger wind slab avalanches on any wind-loaded slope, even into below treeline terrain.

Please share any observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Strong northerly wind has formed wind slabs in southerly terrain, including in openings below treeline. Expect to find slabs in any steep opening.

The wind has stripped any recent snow in wind-exposed terrain down to the early-February melt-freeze crust. In wind-sheltered terrain, 50 cm of snow overlies the crust. Surface hoar may sit on the crust in treeline terrain features protected from the wind.

The remainder of the snowpack is consolidated.

Wednesday Night
Partly Cloudy. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -23 °C.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday
Mostly Cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
• Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.