Bitterroot

Challenging firm snow surfaces is the primary hazard to contend with today. Be prepared to set an edge, self-arrest early, and keep it rubber side down if you travel on steep exposed slopes. The cold temperatures have our well-consolidated snowpack locked up, and avalanches are unlikely.

A series of small storms arrived in the middle of this week, finally bringing wintery conditions to the mountains after over a week hiatus of tropical temperatures and poor overnight refreezes. The snowpack is well bonded, and snow surfaces have remained firm since Tuesday, March 29th. The colder temperatures have limited tawing, but we’ve occasionally found soft turns on direct south aspects. I found an inch of fresh snow that sat over a softening but thick and supportable crust near Lolo Pass yesterday. Jeff reported boilerplate hardpack in the Rattlesnake. 

The most recent showers have dusted less than 2 inches of fresh above 5,000 feet since Thursday, March 31st. Freezing levels crept near 7,500 feet after 4 pm yesterday, then dropped to 4,500 feet last night with light westerly winds and moderate gusts. 

Another small cold front will keep conditions similar to the past few days with cloudy skies and showers bringing graupel and occasional snow flurries today. Snow levels are expected to remain in the 3,000 to 4,000-foot range. Any snow we receive will fall over firm and well-consolidated surfaces. The threat of loose wet activity will be subdued by the colder temperatures today. 

If we receive more snow than forecasted, winds might create small slabs at high elevations, but these would be isolated and small. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for smooth rounded wind deposits and shooting cracks as signs of wind slabs. Utilize ridgelines, lower-angle terrain, and the windward side of slopes if you find wind slabs nearby. 

Ski and ride safe.