Avalanche Forecast

High - We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: 5cm of snow possible overnight, with light southerly winds. 

TUESDAY: Chance of flurries with light southeast winds. Alpine high of -17. 

WEDNESDAY: Clearing skies with light southwest winds. Alpine high of -18. 

THURSDAY: Flurries with increasing southwest winds. Temperatures begin to rise with an alpine high of -10. 

Yesterday natural and skier triggered wind slabs were observed near ridgelines on alpine slopes to size 1.5. One cornice fall was observed to trigger a small wind slab on the slope below. 

A large persistent slab avalanche was observed in the region on Wednesday. It is believed to have released naturally around 2200 m on a steep northwest facing slope. 

If you venture out into the mountains, please share any photos or observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Up to 40cm of low density storm snow has been redistributed into wind loaded features at treeline and above by strong southwest winds. This storm snow sits on a variety of weak interfaces - expect a poor bond and reactive conditions. In western areas near Barkerville it sits over a touchy surface hoar layer.

Another weak layer of feathery surface hoar can be found around 30 to 70 cm deep. It is most likely found in sheltered terrain features in the lower alpine and treeline, or open features below treeline (such as cut blocks).

The early December crust sits 80-120 cm deep in the snowpack, with a layer of weak and faceted crystals above. This interface is present in the southern Cariboos, and is causing large and destructive avalanches in other regions. Read more about it here.

• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and wind exposure.
• The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
• Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.