Avalanche Forecast

Minimal avalanche activity has been reported since the natural cycle of wind slab avalanches occurred during the initial onset of outflow winds on Wednesday (Nov 30). Old wind slabs may have become more reactive again with the warm temperatures on Sunday, but looking forward the cooling trend should help stabilize the snowpack.

Over the past few days strong outflow winds have scoured easterly slopes, created hard slabs on west and south slopes, and cross-loaded others.

A layer that formed in mid-November can be found down 70 to 100 cm deep at treeline and above. This layer consists of a crust below 1200 m and a layer of surface hoar above this elevation. This layer has not shown recent signs of instability.

The depth of the snowpack at treeline varies widely from 100 to 200 cm and tapers rapidly below treeline. Many early-season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks exist below treeline.

Sunday Night

Clear skies, no precipitation, strong outflow winds continue in inlets with light alpine winds from the northeast, inversion conditions with treeline temperatures cooling to -2 °C but staying much colder in valley bottoms.

Monday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation, 20 to 40 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures steady around -2 °C.

Cloudy with isolated flurries bringing trace amounts of snow, 40 to 70 km/h wind from the northwest, treeline temperatures around -7 °C.

Cloudy with periods of snow bringing 10 to 15 cm by the afternoon, 50 to 70 km/h wind from the southwest, treeline temperatures around -5 °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.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.