The skiing may have been ruined by the wind to some degree today. Hopefully it will recover on Monday night.
Weather Forecast
A weak upper front passing the region tonight will bring light snowfall (up to 5cm) and continued strong SW wind. Some models are forecasting a brief upslope flow Monday evening, with the most optimistic predicting 15 cm of snow - this accompanied by light winds from the NE. Conditions remain cool and unsettled through Wed, with the odd flurry.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of dense new snow is being redistributed into wind slabs by strong (gusting extreme) SW winds. A rain crust from Dec. 9th is buried 40-55cm down at tree line and below, and a widespread mid-November crust (buried down at least 60cm) is sandwiched within a strong lower snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity. A size 1.5 avalanche was observed out of the extreme terrain on the East face of Forum peak yesterday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.