Bitterroot

Conditions are generally stable throughout the forecast area. Despite low hazard, you may find isolated pockets of instability just below ridgeline and in very steep north-facing terrain. Continue to assess the snow, practice safe travel, and stay alert for signs of instability, such as cracking and whumphing.

It’s a rare forecast when no avalanche problems are warranted, which is the case today. Very isolated pockets of windslab and persistent slab exist, but not enough to require their own section.

Over the weekend, the skies were mostly clear, the sun was out, temperatures were warm, and the wind was mild. The result was that the snowpack stabilized, and consequential instabilities are few and far between. South and west aspects have been very sun affected and are crusted up. North aspects remain cold and dry with good skiing. Once they get buried, surface hoar on the north and near surface facets on the south are potential future weak layers. They pose no hazard to skiers and riders currently.

Spots where you could trigger very small wind slabs include just below ridgeline and on very steep north-facing terrain that has been cross-loaded. In the southern Bitterroots, a layer of facets exists below a supportable crust, and triggering a slide is unlikely. A large cornice fall or sled dropping off a cliff might impact this deep layer.

Cornices are large and pose threat, especially when the sun is shining. Avoid spending time underneath them and stay well back from the edge when above, as they can break unexpectedly and further back than anticipated. 

Triggering an avalanche today is unlikely but not impossible. Continue to practice good travel habits, such as skiing one at a time, assessing the snow for instabilities, and staying alert for signs of instability, such as shooting cracks and whumphing. 

Your observations are as valuable during times of stability as they are during times of instability. Please continue to submit them here.

Ski and ride safe