Stick to sheltered, lower-angled terrain for the best and safest riding.
If over 25 cm falls overnight, think HIGH avalanche danger.
A crust/facet layer formed in mid-November exists deep in the snowpack. This layer may remain reactive at higher elevations, where an overlying, supportive crust is absent or weaker compared to lower elevations.
Continued snowfall and wind on Monday night will have formed fresh storm slabs that will likely be larger and more reactive in northerly, wind-loaded terrain.
As snowfall and wind increased on Sunday, riders were able to trigger size 1 storm slabs in steep terrain.
Looking forward to Tuesday, reactive storm slabs will be primed for human-triggering from snowfall and wind overnight on Monday.
15 to 30 cm of new snow accompanied by strong southerly wind has left a variety of surfaces - wind slabs and loaded pockets in lee features, scoured rock in open terrain, and storm slabs and softer snow in sheltered areas.
This brings the past week's storm totals to 50 to 70 cm of new snow. This covers a crust that becomes increasingly supportive above 1700 m.
A deeper crust with associated facets, formed in mid-November, exists 50 to 150 cm below the surface and has been responsible for recent large avalanche activity.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
