Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast incoming weather.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing 5-10 cm of new snow. Light to moderate west winds. Alpine temperatures around -12. 

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate southwest winds, strong at ridgetop. Alpine high around -12.

Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries bringing a trace of new snow. Light to moderate southwest winds, strong at ridgetop. Alpine high around -8.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest winds, strong at ridgetop. Alpine high around -3.

Avalanche reports from Thursday were predominantly skier triggered windslabs up to size 1.5. Our field team also reported a natural size 2 windslab avalanche that stepped down to the deep persistent basal facets below a rock band. This is the type of terrain where the deep persistent basal facets will typically be triggered. In the coming days, the warming period may provoke a resurgence in persistent slab avalanche activity.

Recent snow has been loaded into pockets of soft windslab in alpine lees, and is settling in the mild alpine temperatures. At lower, colder, calmer elevations it may remain unconsolidated. It sits over widespread windslab in exposed areas at all elevations.

A well consolidated mid-snowpack overlies a generally weak basal snowpack. The bottom 10-20 cm of the snowpack consists of facets and deteriorating crusts. This basal layer has gradually been gaining strength, but potential still exists for large triggers in thin, rocky areas to trigger avalanches at this depth.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.