Ski quality is mediocre at best with a wide variety of weather impacted snow surfaces out there. Snow is on the way and a mind set shift will have to take place for riders and climbers Freewheel terrain selection is about to come to a grinding halt.
Confidence
Moderate - Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday
Weather Forecast
Strong SW flow at 3000 meters. Freezing levels at approximately 1300 meters and no precipitation, although light amounts of snow will arrive Monday.
Avalanche Summary
One small isolated loose dry avalanche was observed in the alpine from steep unskiable terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Thin windslabs have formed on north through east aspects with the small amount of new snow we received on Friday (8cm). The snowpack throughout the region is generally very well settled with no deeper instabilities to speak of through the midpack and at the base of the snowpack as well.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.