Avalanche Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow; 5-10 cm / Moderate west wind / Low of -13

SUNDAY: Clearing skies with a mix of sun and cloud / Light north wind / High of -9

MONDAY: Sunny / Light west wind / High of -13

TUESDAY: Increasing cloudiness / Moderate west wind / High of -13

Fresh storm slabs formed on Saturday will likely remain reactive to human triggers through the weekend, especially in wind affected terrain.

On Tuesday, a skier triggered size 1.5 was reported on a North aspect at 2200m. This avalanche occurred on the early December crust/facet combo. The avalanche was triggered by the sixth skier to enter the slope.

25-35 cm of new snow and strong southwesterly winds on Saturday formed touchy storm slabs that will remain reactive to human triggers though the weekend; especially in wind affected terrain.

Below the new snow, the defining feature of the snowpack is a widespread crust that reaches as high as 2400 m and now sits 50-120 cm below the surface. 

In some places overlying snow is well-bonded to the crust but in others weak faceted grains have been observed above it. The faceting is most prominent at treeline where the crust is thinner. 

The recent snow will increase the likelihood of triggering this layer.

• Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a persistent slab.
• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
• Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.