Lizard-Flathead

Continuously assess conditions as you move through the terrain.

Avalanches are possible where the upper snowpack feels "stiff and slabby".

Small dry loose avalanches were observed in steep south facing terrain on Monday. No slab avalanches have been reported in a few days.

Rider triggering is possible where a stiffer slab exists above the late January buried weak layers.

If you head into the backcountry consider submitting a MIN post!

50 cm of faceted snow overlies a weak layer from late January. This layer consists of a crust on sun exposed slopes and a layer of surface hoar on all other aspects. Exposed terrain in the alpine and treeline is variably wind-affected creating a stiffer slab above the weak layer. In turn, the stiffer slab may be easier to trigger under the weight of a human. In sheltered terrain, a layer of surface hoar may be found just below the surface.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled.

This MIN Report posted on Monday gives a quick snowpack update for the Lost Boys Pass Area.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 15 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with a trace of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with new snow up to 5 cm. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
• Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.