The week of wind continues, with sustained moderate west winds transporting snow, but windslab development has been limited. Expect to find small (size 1) windslabs formed on gully walls and steep leeward slopes, and these are likely to be triggered easily. But overall, the wind seems to be resetting the riding conditions.
Wind effect on the snow surface continues, but wind loading has been minimal. This is because there is not a lot of recent snow to be blown around, and the old snow does not form slabs as easily. In fact, the wind appears to be providing a good reset to the ski quality in some areas.
Both ski areas (SSV and LL) report only small windslab development over the past 24 hours as they continue to work the steep alpine gullies within their resort boundaries. Several size 1's released by ski cuts, and one size 1.5 with explosives at Lake Louise. No significant natural avalanches reported, but visibility has been limited.
The winds continue to affect the snow surface, although without much recent new snow to be transported, windslab development has been limited. Small windloaded features in gullies have been triggered, but nothing widespread. At treeline and below, the snow quality remains generally soft, despite the wind, with a relatively strong mid-pack and no significant weak layers. A rain crust exists in the middle of the snowpack, but so far is not reactive.
The strong northwesterly flow is expected to continue for the remainder of the week and into the coming weekend. This means a blustery few days with continued moderate west winds (30-40 km/hr), light amounts of snow (2-5 cm/day) and temperatures steady in the -5 to -10 range. In the longer term, more significant precipitation appears to be on the horizon for Monday and Tuesday of next week. Fingers crossed.
