Good skiing exists in sheltered areas near treeline. Thursday may have freezing levels rising to 3400m which is unusual for this time of year. Expect the danger to increase with unseasonably warm temperatures.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will be mainly sunny, no new snow, high of 1 degree, 10-20km/hr NW winds, and 2100m freezing level. Thursday will be sunny, alpine temperature of 4 degrees, light NW winds, and 3400m freezing level. This spike in freezing level is unusual for this time year. Friday will be sunny, light West winds, and 2200m freezing level.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs are in exposed lee features. A significant crust (Black Friday, Nov.23) can be found down 30 to 70cms. A persistent slab overlays this crust and so far the bond appears to be strengthening at this interface. The Halloween crust sits well down in the snowpack at TL locations and as high as 2700m.
Avalanche Summary
No patrol on Tuesday and nothing new reported. No new avalanches noted on Monday.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable on Wednesday
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.