Sugarbowl

Seek out non-wind-affected snow for the best and safest riding conditions.

Fresh wind slabs may be building on lee slopes at upper elevations.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

On Sunday, a naturally triggered size 1.5 wind slab was observed in the McGregors off a northeast-facing ridge. Wind slabs up to size 2 were also observed in the Hasler riding area, along with dry loose sluffing.

20 to 30 cm of snow is currently covering a thick melt-freeze crust that exists up to around 2000 m and on all solar aspects. Strong southwesterly winds will continue building wind slabs on lee north and easterly slopes.

At lower elevations and on sunny or windward slopes, the snow surface may be crusty.

A layer of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried 50 to 80 cm, and is now expected to be dormant. Lingering concern for triggering this layer remains on high alpine northerly slopes above 2000 m.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday
Mostly sunny. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.