Avalanche Forecast

High

On Wednesday in the backcountry near Whitewater resort, one rider had a close call with a wind slab avalanche in a steep, wind-loaded gully. See the MIN post here for more information.

Also, several small or very small (up to size 1) naturally triggered loose dry and wind slab avalanches were reported. Mainly in steep terrain or slopes in direct sun.

If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

A sun crust up to 5 cm thick caps the snowpack on steep south-facing slopes, while new surface hoar is forming in many areas. Alpine and treeline ridgelines are generally wind-affected.

In sheltered terrain, 10–30 cm of snow overlays a layer or in some cases, several layers of surface hoar buried fairly close together. These layers may be deeper on wind-loaded slopes.

A layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried in early December is 50 to 120 cm deep. An absence of recent activity suggests it is no longer a significant concern, however, it is still producing occasional, concerning snowpack test results.

The lower snowpack is generally strong and bonded.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C

Saturday

Sunny. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.