Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1–2
The most likely places to trigger a windslab are steep, wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Enjoy the sun this weekend!
Seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
The most likely places to trigger a windslab are steep, wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
The storm snow remains dry and powdery in most areas so expect sluffing in steep terrain. Remember to use good sluff management techniques.
Several small naturally triggered loose dry avalanches were reported near the Sea to Sky Gondola area on Thursday. No slab avalanches have been reported since last weekend when numerous storm slabs occurred.
Looking forward, we expect naturally triggered slab avalanches will be unlikely, but human triggering of wind slabs may remain possible.
Wind-affected snow and wind slabs formed by shifting wind may be found on various aspects at upper elevations. Over a meter of old storm snow is gradually settling, staying dry and powdery in the cold. In some areas, one or two thin rain crusts lie buried 40 to 90 cm deep. A weak layer from late January, composed mainly of a hard, slippery crust or a mix of faceted grains and surface hoar on shady upper-elevation slopes, is now buried 100 to 130 cm below the surface. The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled with no major concerns.
Check out this fantastic MIN and photos if you are heading out near Powell River.
Saturday Night
Mostly Clear. 10 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Tuesday
Sunny. 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.