Good skiing can be found on sheltered treeline slopes. Cornices are large and looming. They have not been a severe problem yet but good idea to give them a wide berth. Storm snow still bonding and evolving thus conservative choices still wise.
Weather Forecast
Friday to Sunday will be flurries, a total accumulation of 9mm water equivalency, light North winds, diurnal temperature fluctuations with relatively good overnight recovery, and seasonal temperatures. Saturday and Sunday may be more sun than cloud driving up the afternoon heating effect.
Snowpack Summary
Slabs continue to form in the alpine and at treeline on wind exposed slopes from gusty moderate S to SW winds. Previous North winds reverse loaded gully features last week. 90cm has fallen since March 13. At treeline in south facing terrain, the snow rests on a suncrust 80 cm deep. The snowpack is generally supportive below treeline.
Avalanche Summary
No visibility into the alpine for Thursday's patrol. No new naturals were noted TL and below. A helicopter flight Tuesday revealed a significant avalanche cycle occurred on N to NE alpine slopes to size 3 and on terrain as low as 25 degrees. They involved the recent storm snow and the likely trigger was wind loading combined with warm sunny skies.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
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.