Sugarbowl

Seek out non-wind-affected snow for the best and safest riding conditions.

Wind slabs may remain triggerable on lee slopes at upper elevations.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Numerous loose wet, slab and glide slab avalanches up to size 3 occurred during the warming period between last Wednesday and Friday.

Observations were limited during the storm on Saturday.

For Monday, we expect natural avalanches will be unlikely, but wind slabs may remain triggerable by people.

Around 15 to 25 cm of recent snow is covering a thick melt-freeze crust that exists up to around 2000 m and on all solar aspects. Some of that snow may have fallen as rain at lower elevations. Strong southwesterly winds have built wind slabs on lee north and easterly slopes.

At lower elevations and on sunny slopes, the snow surface may be crusty or moist.

A layer of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried 40 to 70 cm, and is now expected to be dormant. Lingering concern for triggering this layer remains on high alpine northerly slopes above 2000 m.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.