Sea To Sky

Assess for slab properties as you move through terrain.

Rider triggerable slabs are possible where a slab overlies facets, surface hoar or a crust.

Over the past week we have seen a pattern of human and remotely triggered size 1 to 1.5 wind slab avalanches with a few being up to size 2. Human-triggered avalanches have occurred on a range of aspects. Slabs have been averaging 20 - 30 cm thick, with some failing on buried surface hoar and propagating widely.

Up to 20 cm of new snow could accumulate over a variety of surfaces including; a crust on south aspects and all aspects at lower elevation, Surface hoar in sheltered features and previously wind effected surfaces in exposed terrain.

30 to 40 cm of snow sits above large surface hoar and/or faceted crystals at treeline and above. This is most problematic in places where wind slabs have formed over it. A widespread, supportive crust exists 30 to 60 cm below the surface. It is an excellent bed surface for slabs run to on.

The snowpack is well bonded and strong below this crust.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. 15 to 30 km/h south alpine wind. Treeline temperature -2°C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of new snow expected. 15 to 30 km/h southeast alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of new snow expected. 5 to 15 km/h southeast alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Friday

Mostly sunny with trace amounts of new snow possible. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.