Conservative terrain choices are the best defense against uncertainty in persistent slabs.
Despite the recent wind, good riding can still be found in sheltered features.
Rider triggerable wind slabs could still linger in the alpine. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
A persistent weak layer is buried 1 - 2 m. This is a low-probability, high-consequence problem. Signs of instability may not be obvious. The best defence is smaller, low-consequence terrain.
Previous strong wind has created pressed surfaces and wind slab in exposed terrain. A new sun crust could be on or near the surface.
20 to 40 cm of soft snow from last week remains in wind-sheltered areas. Reports suggest this snow is bonding fairly well to previous surfaces.
A thick crust with facets over it, from late January, can be found down 100 to 200 cm. We do not have concerns about the snowpack below this layer.
Over the weekend a few dry loose avalanches were observed in steep terrain. A skier accidentally triggered a cornice while trying to create access to a ski line, this resulted in a dry loose avalanche on the slope below.
Field observations have been limited over the last few days. If you are heading to the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
