Don't let the faceshots blind you into making poor decision! Skier/rider triggering of the persistent weak layer remains likely.
Stick to conservative terrain, and be aware of who is above and below you.
This crust-facet combo, created by extended periods without snow earlier this month, and buried on Feb 3rd, remains primed for human triggering (see FB video). Stick to low angle or densely treed slopes.
40-60cm of snow Wednesday, accompanied by strong winds, has created fresh slabs. These will be deeper and more reactive in wind loaded terrain features.
On Tuesday, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer. We continue to see daily reports in the region of other human triggered avalanches on this layer - many failing in small forest openings.
Avalanche control just West of the park Friday produced numerous large avalanches, including a size 4 on the Feb 3rd crust, 1.5m deep x 800m wide.
Avalanche control on Wednesday night produced widespread results, in the size 2-3.5 range.
Storm snow totals in the past week have reached up to 120 cm. Moderate to strong southerly winds have loaded lee features.
Below the storm snow, a layer of facetted crystals sits on the Feb 3rd crust, and will be the main failure plane of concern in the coming days. This layer is now buried deeply, and it's reactivity will vary from one slope to the next. A lack of obvious signs of instability on the approach does not mean it is a good idea to step out to ski in avalanche terrain.
Unsettled weather persists in to the weekend, with dropping temps, light winds and and convective flurries forecast.
Tonight: Isolated flurries. Light SW ridgetop winds. Alpine low -11°C.
Saturday: Scattered flurries (5cm). Light SE ridgetop winds. Alpine High -10°C.
Sun: Scattered flurries (5cm). Light SW wind. Low -14 °C, High -12 °C.
Mon: Isolated flurries. Light SW wind. Low -16 °C, High -12 °C.
