Avalanche Forecast

Several avalanches have surprised skiers across the region over the last few days. Some were quite large and were remotely triggered from a distance, indicating a touchy snowpack over a persistent weak layer. Many groups recently traveling in the backcountry have also reported signs of instability like whumpfing and shooting cracks.

For more info click on the photos below.

Expect to find around 20 cm of soft snow in wind-sheltered and shady areas. This snow covers wind-affected surfaces or a crust on sun-exposed slopes and at lower elevations.

A sun crust may have formed on the surface on steep south and west-facing slopes, and snow will be heavier and possibly moist or crusty at lower elevations. Forecast moderate to strong winds are expected to form fresh, reactive slabs in leeward terrain.

A layer of weak, faceted crystals over a crust, or surface hoar, is the primary layer of concern, buried around 40 to 80 cm.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with 1 to 5 cm of snow expected. 40 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures dropping to -6 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around - 5°C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m

Tuesday

Partly cloudy, with 0 to 2 cm of snow expected. 25 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1300 m

Wednesday

Cloudy, with 2 to 5 cm of new snow expected. 50 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Approach steep open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, buried surface hoar may exist.