A spotty surface hoar layer exists, so investigate how the recent storm snow is bonding to underlying layers.
Test small features before committing to big terrain.
Expect to find the touchiest deposits under ridgetop features or steep rolls. A spotty surface hoar layer is buried in open, sheltered terrain, and in those areas is touchy.
On Wednesday, there were a few small slabs triggered with explosives near Whistler.
On Tuesday, there were several large (size 2) storm slabs triggered with explosives near Whistler. As well as several, small dry loose avalanches from steep terrain.
On Monday, storm slabs were numerous and large around Whistler (size 2-3). On all aspects in the alpine.
Another 8 to 15 cm of new snow fell with moderate to strong wind. In some areas, there is a layer of surface hoar underneath that was buried on Monday.
Underneath the approximately 50 cm of snow that fell this year there is a crust on south-facing slopes, wind-affected snow on north-facing, above 2100 m; and surface hoar in isolated, sheltered features.
The mid-December crust is 100 to 200 cm deep and well-bonded to the snow above. Above 2200 m, this crust is absent and a layer of facets and a crust from November is found at the base of the snowpack. These layers are not currently a concern.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
