Avalanche Forecast

The arrival of the arctic front on Wednesday resulted in a cycle of natural wind slab avalanches. These slabs were up to 45 cm deep. The freshly formed wind slabs were also reactive to human triggering, with whumpfs and shooting cracks reported by the Yukon Field Team.

Looking ahead, these wind slabs may remain reactive to rider triggering in wind-loaded terrain features, and new wind slabs may form due to southwest winds.

Most surfaces are likely wind-affected after the passage of the arctic front, but you may still find pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas.

A layer of surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be found 50 cm deep, but recent observations suggest it has bonded. Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm, with local variations due to wind redistribution.

Saturday Night

Cloudy with flurries, trace snow accumulations, west alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -18 ºC.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, trace snow accumulations, southwest alpine winds 60 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -12 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -10 ºC.

Tuesday

Clearing with no new snow, northeast alpine winds 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -20 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.