A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the backcountry. You can trigger longer running sluffs and pockets of shallow wind slab in recently loaded terrain of the mid and upper elevations. Safe Travel Protocols include riding one at a time, getting out of the way at the bottom, and keeping an eye on each other.
In areas that received the most snow and wind, you'll be able to trigger loose snow sluffs and shallow soft slabs up to 12-18" thick. Some of these soft slabs may be triggered at a distance. The soft slabs will be most prevalent on north to east to south facing terrain.
While there are various structural interfaces of graupel, crusts, and damp facets near the bottom of the snowpack, we haven't heard of any reports of avalanches on these layers. There remains some uncertainty and as such I would recommend caution on any steep rocky terrain on the northerly aspects, particularly in the upper elevations.
Be mindful of avalanche workers and SAR personnel - IF YOU TRIGGER an avalanche near a ski area, please report it to the ski patrol dispatch. Rescue personnel don’t want to be subjected to dangerous conditions if the scene is clear. More on this in Backcountry Emergency Protocols.
Snowbasin Resort Dispatch-(801-620-1017)
Powder Mountain Dispatch- (801-745-3772 ext 3).
Ski area control teams reported triggering both loose dry and soft slabs of wind blown snow in the upper elevations yesterday.
Skies are partly cloudy trending clear in the wake of the storm. Storm totals are 4-8" along the Ogden Skyline and up to 14" in the Powder and Monte Cristo area. Northwest flow. Temps are in the single digits with generally light winds from the north. Snow coverage is creeping up with these last couple storms, with snow depths up to 40-50" in the high country.
For today, we'll have mostly sunny skies, light winds and temps in the teens to maybe the low 20s. Riding conditions will be excellent today but I'm afraid we go high and dry for the foreseeable future.
Michael Davis rode out to the Monte Cristo area yesterday and found mostly stable snow. His report can be found HERE.
UAC forecaster Greg Gagne toured up the Cutler Ridge on Tuesday and his report can be found HERE
Read all backcountry observations here.
Ian McCammon and Kelly McNeil's 2024 paper Six Tips That Could Save Your Life (Recent updates to Safety Messaging) is worth a re-read. It could save your life.
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
