Ski conditions are a mix of breakable and not-so-breakable crusts. Cross your fingers for some some (much-needed) new snow tonight; if we see 5cm or more, expect small Storm Slabs to bump the Treeline Danger up to Moderate.
Weather Forecast
Forecasts models conflict, but show up to 8 cm of new snow Saturday night, accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds. A clearing trend on Sunday, before - possibly - another 5cm early on Monday. Temperatures will remain in the 0 to -7 range. By Tuesday, winds increase, cloud cover thickens, and we could see significant snowfall.
Snowpack Summary
Ongoing warm temperatures are causing continued settlement of our aging snowpack. A breakable 5cm crust exists Below Treeline, and on slopes facing the sun. At Alpine/Treeline elevations, Cornices and new Wind Slabs are developing lee to strong SW winds. Buried up to 1m is a persistent, faceting rain crust, which has not been active recently.
Avalanche Summary
A size 1.5 natural avalanche was observed in North facing alpine terrain on Saturday; likely a cornice fall, triggering a small Wind Slab below. Several loose wet avalanches, up to Size 1.5, occurred during Fridays' minor rain event.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Problems
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.