Although conditions have improved, this is not the time to be skiing aggressive lines, as evidenced by the close call on Sunday (see Avalanche Summary). Multiple buried crusts and weak basal layers are still very much skier-triggerable.
Isolated windslabs in alpine areas along ridgelines. These slabs do not appear to extend far downslope. Be sure to assess local wind affect in areas you are travelling.
This layer is the Feb 2 crust. More prominent on polar aspects.
Facets near the base of the snowpack may be triggered from thin areas. Low probability, high consequence avalanches should be in your mind.
No new avalanche observed or reported today.
One skier triggered avalanche size 3 occurred in Tent Bowl on Sunday. The avalanche was triggered after the fourth turn and the skier was carried down with it and buried up to their neck, but without any injuries. The avalanche depth varied from thin to thick with evidence of the March 20 interface, the February 2 crust, the basal facets and the ground. Some of the blocks were the size of a Ferrari. Please see the MIN report at https://avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions%2F3a547b44-ea29-11ee-97c1-0a58a9feac02
Surface crusts have formed on all terrain that is even slightly tipped towards the sun. On northerly aspects there is 20-30cm of recent storm snow. Winds have created some wind slabs in the alpine, including some reverse wind loading by northerly winds. All of this is overlying the March Temperature crust that is found on all aspects except high pure north alpine areas. So far, the bond with the new snow and the underlying crust is good. Deeper in the snowpack the February 3rd crust still exists but avalanche activity on this layer has decreased since the warm temps last week have settled out the snowpack. It is still worth digging and poking down to evaluate this layer.
When the sun comes out and the temperature rises, the avalanche hazard will increase.
Tuesday will bring a mix of sun and cloud and very light flurries. Light/moderate NW winds will continue with daytime highs reaching -2C at treeline.
Be aware that when the sun does come out it packs a punch at this time of year and snow stability will quickly deteriorate on the solar aspects. Thin cloud can also lead to a "Greenhouse Effect" that can make the upper snowpack moist and unstable. Lots going on in Spring!
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
