Avalanche Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Increasing cloud, becoming mostly cloudy. No new snow expected. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperatures around -12 °C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-7 cm of snow expected. Strong to extreme southwest wind. Alpine high around -7 °C.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level rising to around 500 m.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light northwest wind. Freezing level falls to valley bottom. Alpine high around -7 °C.

No new avalanches were reported before 4 pm on Thursday. Limited field observations so far have suggested that the windslabs formed earlier in the week are not likely to be triggered by the weight of a rider. Rider triggered avalanches may still be possible in large terrain features that have seen significant wind-loading. 

Expect to find a breakable crust up to 1100 m, 1200 m on solar aspects. This has made travel a little tricky, but still manageable. 

Above this elevation, consistent strong to extreme south to southwest wind has formed 30-60 cm thick windslabs in lee features. These windslabs may be a little upside-down, but so far, they have not been reactive to rider traffic. 

The mid snowpack is generally dense and strong.

In shallow snowpack areas, a layer of loose facets can be found at the bottom of the snowpack. 

• A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.
• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
• Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.