With stable conditions, many large objectives are being skied. Remember that the snowpack is still young- below average snow depths mean crevasses are still thinly bridged. Stay well back from cornices when traveling along ridges.
Weather Forecast
A weak front passing through the region today will bring increasing cloud and light flurries today. A ridge of high pressure will build tomorrow bringing alpine sun with valley cloud, light to moderate N'ly winds and temps gradually warming to ~-5'C over the forecast period. Strong solar on Tuesday/Wednesday may trigger loose avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
New surface hoar is growing. 15cm of light snow buried a small surface hoar layer on Dec 25. This layer formed on unconsolidated snow between 1500-2000m. Tests on a W aspect at 2180m found planar results down 40cm on top of well settled snow. The Nov. crust is down 160cm and has yet to produce avalanches. Snowpack depths are below average.
Avalanche Summary
Skiers report sluffing of the top 20cm on steep slopes. There were no new natural avalanches observed yesterday.
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.