Uncertainty around the reactivity of deeper weak layers is best managed with low-consequence terrain choices and good travel habits.
There is a lot of loose snow available for transport. If the wind picks up, expect reactive wind slabs to form rapidly in lee areas.
Sporadic large rider-triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to occur. They have been most reactive on north through east slopes between 1700 and 2300 m.
Large natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to occur sporadically on the weak layer buried in early December. This problem is starting to improve but deserves patience and continued vigilance. Watch this recent State of the Snowpack video for more details.
Expect to find 20 to 50 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas and pockets of wind slabs in exposed areas at upper elevations. On sun-affected slopes, soft snow covers a melt-freeze crust.
A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried 60 to 110 cm. It will most likely be a problem on north through east aspects between 1700 and 2300 m.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloud with up to 4 cm of new snow. 5 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 2 to 15 cm of new snow. 15 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
