The Winter Permit System is not yet in effect. Conditions are "sporty" with thinly buried hazards at lower elevations, open creeks, and lots of alder. Dry powder can be found on sheltered slopes above 1800m.
Weather Forecast
Clear, cold and dry weather is expected over the weekend. Expect light northerly winds, and highs of -8. Westerly flow on Monday will bring flurries and rising freezing levels.
Snowpack Summary
Above 1800m 40cm of unsettled snow overlies a series of crusts. This storm snow is being transported by Northerly winds, forming slabs in exposed areas. Stability tests at 2100m on a S aspect found moderate resistant planar shears above the crust.
Avalanche Summary
Recent avalanche activity has been limited to sluffing off of steep slopes.
Confidence
Due to the number 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.