Vancouver Island

Wind slabs may remain triggerable for longer than usual due to an underlying crust or facets.

For best and safest riding, seek out sheltered terrain where 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 triggerable at upper elevations, especially if winds pick up strength over the weekend.

At upper elevations, winds have varied in direction recently so expect wind slabs and wind-affected snow on all aspects. Up to 5 cm of new snow from Friday night may be covering a new layer of surface hoar. A widespread crust, combined with a thin layer of weak facets in some areas, can be found buried 30 to 50 cm deep. This crust is only a concern in places like wind-loaded areas where a consolidated slab is overlaying it. Otherwise, the mid and lower snowpack contains no other layers of concern.
Check out this awesome MIN from near Mt. Cain for an update on conditions there.

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
• Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
• Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.