Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
May your toes be warm, your cheeks be cold and there be a smile upon your face while enjoying powder turns this holidays season!
Weather Forecast
Time to test out the new, lightweight - high loft, puffy jacket you just got as a present from your mom, as an Arctic front pushes its way into the region. Expect mainly cloudy skies with isolated flurries, light Westerly winds and cold temperatures throughout the day. Cold temps, clear'ish skies and light winds are settling in for the week. Brrrr.
Snowpack Summary
50cm of snow recent snow is settling out on top of previously faceted surfaces. Pockets of slab exist in loaded areas. The Dec 1 crust is buried approximately 80cm-150cm, with facetting of the snow directly above and below (facetting in most prominent in shallower snowpack areas). Beneath the Dec 1 crust, the snowpack is dense and strong.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was observed or reported since Thursday.
Artillery control on Thursday produced numerous large-very large storm slab avalanches (size 2-3.5), with some running to valley bottom.
Several skier control storm slabs up to size 1.5 on Thursday.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
50cm of recent snow, combined with moderate variable winds has formed slabs in some locations, these will be most problematic in the Alpine.
- Use safe ski cutting techniques to enter your line.
- Variable winds have created pockets of wind slab on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
50cm of unconsolidated new snow has the potential to run far and fast in steep, confined terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5