Avalanche Forecast

On Saturday, several rider triggered dry loose avalanches up to size 1 on steep treeline and alpine features. A few small natural and skier triggered wind slab avalanches were reported at treeline where the wind had built more cohesive pockets of snow.

If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a report to the Mountain Information Network.

At higher elevations, light southwest winds may have transported the 15 to 30 cm of recent snow and formed small wind slabs. Incoming moderate to strong easterly winds may develop new wind slabs where they typically do not occur.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust, existing on all aspects at treeline and below. The crust extends to mountain tops on sunny aspects. In north-facing high alpine terrain, the surface snow may have remained cold and dry.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.

If you are a visual learner click here for a video describing the snowpack.

Monday Night

Clear, no accumulation, winds easterly 30 km/h ramping up to 55, freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday

Sunny, no accumulation, winds easterly 30 to 50 km/h, freezing level reaching 1700 m.

Wednesday

Sunny with increasing clouds in the afternoon, no accumulation, winds east to northeast 20 to 30 km/h, freeing levels 1700 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation at higher elevations, winds 10 to 15 km/h, freezing levels 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.