Choose low-angle slopes without terrain traps to gather information in your area before increasing your exposure.
A weak layer exists and may be triggered by riders.
Multiple weak layers in the upper snowpack may be rider-triggered for several days. Reactivity is tapering off, but if triggered, it will be a large avalanche.
Recent storm snow, around 30 cm, has added load to a complex upper snowpack.
On Saturday, a rider triggered a large (size 2.5) persistent slab avalanche near Whitewater. It occurred on a northeast aspect at treeline and possibly stepped down to the January weak layer.
On Thursday, there was a small rider-triggered slab near Edgewood, as well as numerous dry loose avalanches near Nelson.
Anywhere from 20 to 50 cm of new snow fell in the last week, which overlies a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas and a crust on solar aspects.
Below this are two other layers of concern:
February 7th surface hoar and crust buried 50 to 60 cm deep.
January 26th surface hoar, crust, and facet layer buried 60 to 80 cm deep.
These layers will likely continue to produce avalanches in the coming days.
The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
