Avalanche hazard is decreasing, but a complex snowpack persists: choose conservative routes, limit exposure to avalanche terrain, and regroup in protected locations.
Strong winds have redistributed any available loose snow. Check for stubborn windslabs in lee features or steep, exposed terrain.
Cornices are large and looming, give them space.
Facets and/or surface hoar buried 40 to 80 cm deep are most prominent on north-facing slopes. Avoid areas with a thin or variable (thin to thick) snowpack.
Many size 2 to 3 persistent slab avalanches were reported on the Mountain Information Network last weekend (see photos). This includes several slabs triggered by riders, including remotely. The AvCan field team observed some large natural slabs at Seaton that likely occurred on Monday. There have been few field reports through the week.
Wind has modified surfaces and formed slabs in lee features. A crust is found up to 1500 m and higher on solar slopes.
A layer of surface hoar is now buried 30 to 60 cm deep, it persists at alpine elevations and on 'polar aspects' (slopes protected from the sun).
Another layer of facets, surface hoar and/or a crust buried in mid-February is 60 to 100 cm below the snow surface and has been reactive in snowpack tests.
Deeper in the snowpack, a weak layer of facets and a crust from early December can be found. This layer appears to be dormant but is still worth keeping in mind in thin snowpack areas in the alpine.
Friday Night
Increasing clouds. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud. 25 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Monday
Sunny. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
