There is still a lot of uncertainty around the deeper facets in the snowpack. It is very difficult to assess slopes with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management
Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older slabs may still be reactive where they overly facets. New wind slabs can be expected to be very thin and only in immediate lees.
This represents the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). BTL concern likely only for thinner snowpack areas such as Mt. Stephen and Dennis.
The ridge of high pressure will break down Sunday as a westerly low move into the forecast region. This low pressure system will bring 10 to 20cm of snow accumulation. By Monday evening an Arctic cold front will cool things off dropping overnight lows down into the -30s.
Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and is good skiing. Facets and a weak mid-pack remain the dominant concern and the Dec 2 crust is down 100-150 cm and producing hard test results in most of Yoho.
No new avalanches observed or reported Saturday. Over the past week we have observed a few large avalanches to size 3 on the persistent weak layer. These avalanches were initiated by cornice fall triggering the slop below.
