Avalanche forecast

Northwest Mountains

Crested Butte Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The primary avalanche concern is for the possibility of human triggering a slab avalanche that breaks deeply into old weak snow. The last human-triggered slab avalanche was reported this past Sunday and is highlighted here and here. If you would like to travel in avalanche terrain on the northern and eastern half of the compass, it is recommended that you make detailed observations about the terrain and the snowpack. You can avoid the avalanche problem by traveling on lower angled slopes, or riding on southerly facing slopes, though you may find those southerly facing slopes to be a bit crusty. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    On northerly and easterly aspects, you can trigger a dangerous slab avalanche that breaks up to several feet thick on weak faceted snow that was buried last month. Slabs can be triggered remotely from below or adjacent slopes. Collapsing and cracking are clear signs of instability, although direct feedback on this problem has become less frequent. The distribution of this avalanche problem is highly variable from one steep slope to the next due to past avalanche activity. In some cases, the slope may have avalanched in late February and has yet to fill back in with enough snow to form a new slab. In other cases, the slope may have filled back in with a new slab or it has yet to release to begin with. Where the avalanche problem exists, you may be able to decrease your chance of triggering by avoiding trigger points and areas where the slab thins. When en doubt, head for lower consequence terrain or slope angles in the lower 30-degree range and less. 

    3/12:  A large persistent slab that likely failed on Friday night from wind loading.  

Avalanche Discussion

Wet avalanche concerns were dropped from the problem list, thanks in part to colder temperatures and more clouds in today's forecast. That leaves us with the persistent slab avalanche problem as our remaining primary concern. The same areas that are highlighted by this avalanche problem are probably just where backcountry riders will want to head today in the search for soft snow. Travel advice for the persistent slab avalanche problem is a bit difficult to give at the moment. So in short it's either avoidance or the requirement to make detailed observations about both the snowpack and terrain. 

The next storm is brewing, though there may not be a whole lot of brew coming with this storm. However, even a few inches of new snow by tomorrow will be a lovely addition. The currently forecasted snow amounts don't look like they will be enough to change the overall avalanche danger ratings. If we get enough snow and wind, the main thing we could see added to the problem list for tomorrow is new wind slabs. 

And don’t forget, the 48th annual Al Johnson Memorial Telemark Ski Race is this Saturday, March 19 at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. A portion of the proceeds from the race will go to the Crested Butte Avalanche Center. Additional Information can be found here.

Regions covered