A little bit of new snow Monday will enhance overall ski conditions yet be vigilant for the incremental loading has the potential to increase sensitivity on a buried and spotty distributed surface hoar layer 10-30cm deep. Be wary of strong winds arriving Wednesday.
Seek out sheltered terrain to find the best conditions.
Incremental snow loading from the past few days in the form of new snow plus wind distribution and variable wind impacts continue to add to this problem. Increased wind values in a couple days may be the impetus to increase its sensitivity.
Marmot basin staff on Monday skier triggered a windslab, size 2, 2480m, North aspect, 40cm deep and 300m long. Their explosive control work had a similar result on the adjacent slope. Also Monday's Icefield's patrol only had 30% visibility, snowing actively, with 20cm of new snow South of Parkers ridge. No naturals were observed but gusty conditions noted with windslabs forming. Monday's Icefield patrol did not notice any natural activity and visibility was pretty good.
10-20cm of soft snow in sheltered locations sits on various melt freeze crusts and older wind affected snow, or a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. The midpack is generally dense and well consolidated with basal facets in thin snowpack areas.
Tuesday could bring cloudy conditions, isolated flurries, a trace of new snow, -9 °C, and generally light with some moderate ridgetop West winds. Wednesday may get 11cm of new snow, -9 to -12 °C, and gusting 85km/hr Southwest winds. It is a 50% chance that Thursday may get 14cm of snow and gusting 95km/hr West winds.
