Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
What and where is it? Recent wind and snowfall may have formed slabs and drifts up to 3 feet thick in upper and some middle elevation locations. Some slabs could overlie crusts and/or thin layers of weak, faceted snow; the wind slabs could be easy to trigger and break wider than expected on some slopes.
How can we recognize and manage this problem? Fortunately, the fresh wind slabs are easy to spot and avoid. Watch for smooth pillows, dunes, and large wind features below ridgelines and cornices as well as on the sides of cross-loaded gullies. If you feel the surface snow getting stiffer, it's time to pay attention. Cracks shooting out from your skis or sled are an obvious sign that you've found a wind slab. Hard wind slabs sound hollow, like a drum, and behave unpredictably; they can break above you and wider than expected.
(1/2/2026) A wind slab avalanche triggered while stomping from low angle terrain above. 9500' NE facing slope near Butterfield.