Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength. Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, light to moderate northwest wind, alpine temperature -16 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation up to 10 cm, moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -12 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation up to 15 cm, light to moderate southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level at 400 m.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, snow accumulation 5 to 10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C, freezing level below valley bottom.

On Wednesday, a few natural and one skier triggered slab avalanche of size 3 were reported. These avalanches released on a weak layer consisting of feathery surface hoar which was buried at the end of December and is now between 50 and 120 cm deep. Numerous explosive triggered storm slab avalanches of up to size 3 were reported.

On Tuesday, a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred in the region with large storm slab avalanches to size 3.5. Numerous explosive and skier triggered storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported.

Up to 10 cm snow accumulation are expected during the day on Friday. The previous storm delivered around 40 to 70 cm of snow which fell with strong southwest wind. The formed slabs may still be sensitive, particularly in exposed lee terrain features. 

Deeper in the snowpack, a few layers of weak and feathery surface hoar may still be found around 50 to 150 cm deep. It is unclear whether they are still problematic and if so, how long they will be so for. The base of snowpack is also weak in parts of the region, where it consists of sugary faceted snow around a melt-freeze crust. Until these weak layers can be ruled out, best to travel conservatively.

• Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
• Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.