Potential still exists for human triggering of large avalanches. Manage overhead exposure carefully and make careful terrain choices at all elevations. We are back to a more typical Rockies snowpack and the weaknesses will be present for some time.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Continued cool temperatures (-12 to -18'C) through Wednesday with light West winds and very light flurries.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs in alpine and tree line areas. 30-60cm of snow over the Jan 6 surface hoar/facet/sun crust layer is reactive to skier triggering. Sudden collapse results on the Jan 6 and Dec 3 surface hoar layers down 55 and 85cm in the Kootenay region. Extensive whumphing on mid-pack facets and many very weak faceted areas today near Observation Peak.
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