Northwest Inland

Strong winds continue leading to a variety of wind affected surfaces in exposed terrain. Look to sheltered terrain for the best riding, and be aware of what is above you.

Low - Due to the number of field observations

TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with light to moderate snow – 5-10 cm. The freezing level is around 800 m and ridge winds are moderate to strong from the south. WEDNESDAY: Sunny breaks. The freezing level gradually climbs to 1200-1400 m. Ridge winds are light increasing to strong from the SE. THURSDAY: Periods of snow. The freezing level dips back to 800-1000 m and winds are moderate from the S-SE.

One size 3 natural storm slab was observed in the Southwest corner of the region on Sunday. This slide probably occurred 1-2 days earlier. It released on a northeast aspect in the alpine. Last week, a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche was accidentally triggered by a skier in alpine terrain in the north of the region. The slab, which ran on basal facets, was up to 200cm deep, 200m wide and 500m long. There have been a handful of recent similar avalanches triggered on basal facets in the mountains north of Kispiox.

10-30 cm of snow has fallen in the past week with the highest accumulations occurring in the southwest of the region. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds have shifted the new snow into new wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine adding to an ongoing wind slab problem. A layer of surface hoar from early January can be found in isolated locations between 60 and 140cm down. There hasn't been any activity reported on this layer for a couple of weeks now and it is becoming less of a concern. In shallower areas the snowpack sits on a weak base layer of facetted snow. Recently, this layer has been active in the north of the region, responsible for several large avalanches in unsupported alpine terrain.