Getting to where the skiing is can be a bit rugged but there were a few nice turns found on friday (emphasis few). Ice climbers pay attention as a few loose dry slides were observed running down over routes.
Confidence
Moderate - Due to the quality of field observations
Weather Forecast
A small amount of new snow may fall over the weekend with generally cloudy skies expected. Winds will increase into the moderate range out of the SW so there may be a bit of new windslabs building in Alpine areas. Temperature will remain seasonal.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous loose dry avalanches up to sz 1 running on top of the Nov 12th crust. No new slab avalanches were noted.
Snowpack Summary
20-25cm of low density snow is overlying the Nov 12th temperature crust. Isolated windslabs are being observed in Alpine areas along ridgelines but these problems do not extend far downslope. The snowpack at 2200m is anywhere from 50-60cm but it RAPIDLY tapers with elevation and is still pretty boney in the trees. The Nov Crust is something that will be with us for the whole season likely so get used to us talking about it.
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.