Wind affected snow is the main concern. Seek out low density snow in sheltered areas for the safest and best quality skiing and riding.
Weather Forecast
Monday night: Clear. Light northeast winds.Tuesday: Sunny. Light northeast winds, increasing over the day. Alpine high temperatures around -14.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate east winds. Alpine high temperatures around -9.Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light variable winds. Alpine high temperatures around -9.
Avalanche Summary
Preliminary reports from Sunday described small (size 1) wind slabs were triggered by riders on all aspects in alpine terrain. Activity on Saturday was limited to loose dry sluffing in steep terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Recent wind has formed isolated pockets of slabs in exposed terrain, while sheltered areas have cold low density snow. The top 20 to 40 cm of the snowpack consists of low density snow that is gradually bonding to old hard surfaces including crusts and wind-packed snow. Low-density snow may sluff easily from these hard surfaces. The lower snowpack is strong and settled.
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.