Devils Creek, Selkirk Mountains

Overall, instability is expected to be storm-snow driven, but the presence of this crust means that even shallow slabs could propagate farther than expected. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative terrain choices are advised as the storm continues to load these layers.

The snowpack currently contains multiple rain crusts at various elevations. Faceted grains are developing beneath each of these crusts, creating potential weak layers within the snowpack. While these crust–facet combinations deserve attention, most of the crusts are thick and supportive at this time, making them unlikely to fail under the weight of a skier or rider in their current state.
The most concerning layer is the 12/25 rain crust, which is widespread and relatively smooth. This crust provides an efficient sliding surface for the new snow falling today (12/26) and continuing into tonight. As storm snow accumulates, it may form a cohesive slab over this crust, particularly in areas receiving higher snowfall rates or wind loading.
Although the facets beneath the 12/25 crust are not currently collapsing easily, they could become more reactive as additional weight is added to the snowpack. Watch for signs of instability such as cracking, collapsing, or recently formed soft slabs, especially on slopes where new snow is bonding poorly to the crust. Terrain with steeper angles, wind-drifted features, and areas that received rain prior to the cooling trend will be the most suspect.