Start on small slopes, and check for signs of instability before committing to steep or high-consequence terrain.
Riding conditions and avalanche problems will change with elevation.
In areas where wind has formed dense pockets of snow below ridge crests, rolls, and in cross-loaded gullies, human-triggered avalanches will be likely.
Use caution when encountering moist or wet snow in steep areas or gullies.
On Sunday and Monday, numerous small to large (up to size 2) naturally triggered avalanches were reported across the forecast area in steep, north and east-facing alpine terrain.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, we expect that natural avalanches will be less likely, but human-triggered wind slab avalanches will remain likely in wind-loaded features.
Expect to find 5-10 cm of soft, dry snow on the surface in sheltered areas of the alpine and at treeline. Moderate to strong wind has formed reactive wind slabs on north through east-facing terrain, and exposed a thin, frozen crust on windward terrain.
At around 1000 m and below, the snowpack is shallower (around 50 cm) and likely isothermal. If you stand in it, your foot sinks right to the ground.
Two deeper surface hoar layers exist. These layers have become dormant and unlikely to trigger.
Tuesday Night
Clear, becoming cloudy by the morning. 0-2 cm of snow to near valley bottom. Moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -2 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Light snow in the morning turning to light rain below 1750 m in the afternoon. Strong southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline high around 2 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Light rain expected, 3-5 cm of snow above 1500 m. Moderate ridgetop wind, shifting from SW to SE. Treeline temperature around 0 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. Very light rain and snow expected as freezing level drops to valley bottom. Strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline low around -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
