Vancouver Island

Wind slabs may remain reactive for longer than usual due to an underlying crust.

For best and safest riding, seek out sheltered terrain where the snow hasn't been affected by wind.

No new avalanches have been reported since last Tuesday, when explosive control produced a few dry loose avalanches, size 1.5, that ran on the weak layer below the storm snow.

Looking forward, we expect wind slabs may remain reactive to riders at upper elevations, especially if winds pick up strength over the weekend. Continue to carefully manage sluffing in steep terrain.

In wind-exposed terrain, storm snow has been blown onto leeward slopes by recent southwesterly winds. Winds are expected to change direction on Saturday and Sunday, so expect wind slabs and wind-affected snow on all aspects. 25 to 50 cm of old storm snow may be poorly bonded to an underlying crust. The greatest concern is for wind-affected areas where the buried crust is combined with a thin layer of weak facets - particularly on high northerly slopes. The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and dense with no other layers of concern.
Check out this awesome MIN from near Mt. Cain for an update on conditions there.

Friday Night

Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. 20 to 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 25 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
• Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.