Choose small, low consequence slopes.
Slabs formed overnight will likely remain reactive to rider traffic.
Solar input could increase sensitivity to triggering.
Reactive storm slabs will likely have formed overnight. The largest and most reactive slabs will likely be found in the alpine where all or most of the expected precipitation will have fallen as snow.
There have been no recent avalanche reports in the region.
If you are going out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
By early morning on December 18th 25 to 50 mm of precipitation could have fallen. This will initially fall as snow in the afternoon of the 17th and switch to rain at treeline overnight before switching back to snow by early morning on the 18th. The result will be dry snow over wet or moist snow at treeline.
This precipitation will also be accompanied by strong southerly winds forming deeper deposits on northerly aspects.
In the alpine, an estimated 40 to 80 cm of snow sits above a thin crust. At lower elevations, 10 to 20 cm of snow sits above a more robust crust.
Snow depths at treeline vary across the region. Around 140 cm is reported in the Coquihalla and 85 cm near Manning Park.
Tuesday Night
Cloudy with 20 to 40 mm of precipitation expected. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Above freezing layer between 1300 m and 1800 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow expected. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling throughout the day to 1000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow expected. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Friday
Increasing cloud throughout the day. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 2200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
