For those keen enough to brave the scratchy and sketchy approach and exit, good skiing exists in the alpine. Over the weekend, the potential for periods of sunshine and rising freezing levels may cause avalanche danger to rise.
Weather Forecast
A front is moving quickly through the province today before a ridge of high pressure builds again. 5-10 cm are expected today, with moderate SW winds and alpine temperatures around -8'C. Over the weekend expect a mix of sun and cloud, with isolated flurries. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 1700m on Monday and 2300m by Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Snow depths vary from 30cm at Rogers Pass, to 130-150cm in alpine areas. Sheltered areas at and above tree-line are holding unconsolidated snow, but pockets of wind-slab exist in immediate lee areas. A melt-freeze crust in the bottom 50cm of the snowpack is an early layer of concern, especially in the alpine on open, planar slopes.
Avalanche Summary
The last few days were quiet but earlier in the week several size 1.5-2 slabs from steep, N-facing terrain along the highway and up the Connaught drainage.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
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.