Even where dry snow exists, soft, sheltered powder in is likely in short supply. Choose lower angled terrain if you're finding yourself drawn into wind-affected snow.
20-40 cm of new snow in the alpine formed wind slabs during the week under the influence of strong to extreme south winds. Expect this problem to increase in seriousness as you gain elevation.
10-20 cm of dry new snow at 1950 m and lower allowed for productive control missions in the Whistler area Thursday and again on Friday. Early Thursday these yielded small cornices and dry slabs, but with afternoon warming results transitioned to small wet loose releases. Friday's reports included several large explosives-controlled cornices.
Higher elevations still holding cornices and wind slabs formed with roughly double these recent snow amounts remain a concern.
Reports of recent snow above 2100 m suggest a maximum of 30 - 40 cm in the Whistler area. Locations father south and west of Hwy 99 should have 10-20 cm more. In the Whistler area these amounts taper off quickly to 10-15 cm above 1800 m.
Where new snow exists, it has generally been redistributed by strong to extreme south winds that have exposed the underlying crust in many areas. This crust is widespread, is growing stronger and more supportive by the day, and caps 30 - 50 cm of moist or wet snow below it.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.
Saturday night
Mainly clear. Northwest alpine winds 5 - 15 km/h, increasing. Freezing level remaining near 1300 m.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud. Northeast alpine wind 10 - 20 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -4 °C with freezing level around 1200 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. East or northeast alpine wind 5 - 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C with freezing levels around 1200 m.
Tuesday
Sunny. Southwest alpine winds 10 - 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C with freezing level around 1300 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
