Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
Moderate wind has developed isolated wind slabs over various hard surfaces of wind-pressed snow and/or a crust. Be careful with wind loaded pockets in steep terrain.
The best riding is in sheltered terrain where soft snow can still be found.
Remain cautious in terrain where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick, where weak layers could be triggered.
Moderate wind has developed isolated wind slabs over various hard surfaces of wind-pressed snow and/or a crust. Be careful with wind loaded pockets in steep terrain.
A faceted lower snowpack presents a persistent slab problem. This basal layer may be triggered by cornice fall or the weight of a rider in shallow snowpack areas or on steep features where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
No new avalanches have been reported.
Roughly 10 to 15 cm of snow has incrementally accumulated and redistributed by moderate wind building small wind slabs over various old surfaces:
In the high alpine a surface hoar layer may remain intact on sheltered northerly terrain.
Hard, pressed surfaces, wind slab, and sastrugi in exposed terrain.
A crust should be found on or near the surface of sun-exposed slopes and lower elevations.
The lower snowpack is faceted and generally weak, particularly in shallow areas.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.