Avalanche Forecast

High

On Wednesday, northwest of Golden, a small (size 1) rider triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on an east facing, treeline slope.

Also, small, loose avalanches were reported in steep terrain. These were either triggered naturally by wind loading or sun, or by rider traffic.

We expect unconsolidated snow will remain reactive to skier traffic in steep terrain. Carefully manage sluffing.

Expect to find 25-45 cm of soft, faceting snow on the surface in sheltered terrain at treeline and below. This covers a layer of surface hoar buried in late January that may be as large as 15 mm in some places. The surface hoar sits on loose, faceted snow in shaded terrain, and a crust on steep slopes facing the sun.

In the alpine, exposed terrain is generally wind-affected, and there is likely no surface hoar included in the late January layer, just facets, old wind-affected surfaces, or a sun crust.

A weak layer of facets from early December is 60 to 120 cm deep.

The base of the snowpack consists of a thick crust with facets or depth hoar in many areas.

Thursday Night

Clear. Light east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Sunny. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
• Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
• Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.