Newberry

Triggering an avalanche will be very unlikely on Saturday.  It is always worth identifying avalanche terrain (slopes that are 30 degrees or steeper), and using safe travel techniques like riding one at a time and carrying avalanche rescue gear when you are traveling on or beneath slopes that could produce an avalanche.

The same as it ever was!  We have seen little change in our snow conditions over the last 2 weeks.  One significant difference for the weekend is that forecasted cold temperatures will ensure that even the sunniest slopes will likely remain firm and crusty.

Slopes that are both shady and sheltered from the wind are still providing soft, dry snow!  This surface snow is largely composed of very old powder and small faceted grains.  Facets are weak snow crystals that form when the nights are cold and clear.  They can become buried weak layers, but when weak snow is on the surface it's a good thing!  Today I was also able to find some weak, poorly developed facets beneath a crust down 6 inches.  It isn't weak enough or deep enough to constitute an avalanche problem, but it'll be good to be aware of when we get new snow, as avalanches could fail on this layer.