Good skiing can still be found on sheltered areas on North aspect at treeline and above.
Weather Forecast
Trace of snow forecasted for tomorrow, cloudy with freezing levels up to 2100 and strong winds out of the SW.
Avalanche Summary
A few slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in steep alpine features on NorthEast and North aspects. These avalanches were in lee and crossloaded features. A few loose wet avalanches up to size 1 were also observed in alpine treeline areas on solar aspects
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine there is 15-25 cm of lower density snow in protected areas and windslab that is likely reactive to skier trigger in lee alpine features. The March 8th layer is present on all aspects at treeline and below and into alpine features on solar aspects, this layer consists of a laminated crust down 15-25 cms and of concern in areas where slab has developed overtop. In the mid pack the feb 11th layer vary in depth but these layers are showing signs of strengthening with only hard to no results in field testing but there is still a possibility of avalanches stepping down to these layers. The January 6th layer is in the bottom 1/3rd of the snow pack and is faceted out but there is a noticeable density change below this layer. Forecasters noted a few collapses and "punchy" feeling snow at treeline and alpine areas.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.