Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Tuesday night: A trace of snow. Light to moderate west wind. Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday: A trace of snow. Light to moderate southwest wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

Thursday: 5-10 cm new snow. Moderate west wind. Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday: Mostly cloudy. Light southwest wind. Freezing level 1500 m.

Minimal avalanche activity observed Tuesday.

Reports from Monday include a natural wind slab avalanche cycle to size 2, as well as skier controlled, accidental and remotely triggered storm slabs size 1-2 on northeast aspects in the alpine and upper treeline. This MIN post includes a photo of a skier triggered wind slab.

20-40 cm of settling snow sits over old surfaces consisting of surface facets, isolated patched of surface hoar in sheltered areas or sun crusts on solar aspects. Wind affect in the alpine is extremely variable, with reports ranging from minimal soft slab development to wind scoured surfaces and hard slabs. Soft snow is well preserved on sheltered shady aspects.

Faceted snow and crusts exist near the base of the snowpack in much of the region. This layer is believed to be largely dormant at the moment.

• Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.