By definition the hazard is moderate treeline and below, however the potential still exists for human triggering of large avalanches in open terrain at these elevations. JH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Slight warming (highs of -7 by friday), increasing westerly wind(moderate on Wednesday) cloudy skies and light flurries are forecast through the rest of the week.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs in alpine and tree line areas. 30-60cm of snow over the Jan 6 surface hoar/facet/sun crust layer, which is becoming less reactive to skier triggering. Sudden collapse results persist on the Jan 6 and Dec 3 layers in the Kootenay region. Isolated whumphing on mid-pack facets/surface hoar today.
Avalanche Summary
Visitor Safety was able to trigger a size 1.5 wind slab on a SE steep alpine feature on Monday near Observation Peak. A large natural cornice collapse also occurred Monday in the Sunshine backcountry on Quartz Ridge. Lots of evidence of the previous widespread natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 on all aspects with some very large propagations.
Confidence