Stay vigilant of changing conditions, especially when the March sun comes out.
Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards during periods of sun.
Recent snow and wind have created fresh wind slabs. Use caution as you transfer into wind-affected terrain, as these slabs can still be triggered by riders.
Small wet loose avalanches will be likely on steep sun-exposed slopes. Avoid overhead hazard from steep sunny faces during the warmest parts of the day.
Evidence of natural and human-triggered avalanches (wind and storm slabs) from this stormy weekend is still being reported in the Sky Pilot area.
Small sluffs were easily triggered by skiers on steep northerly slopes while unstable wet snow was observed on southerly slopes due to solar radiation throughout the region.
Thanks for sharing your observations via the MIN if you are going out into the backcountry.
The region received 20 to 25 cm of recent snow this past weekend, totaling 120 cm of recent storm snow, which is settling out rapidly. Unsettled conditions have brought up to 35 cm of new snow in localized areas.
At upper elevations, strong winds have formed deeper deposits of wind-transported snow. At treeline and below, the new snow sits above a crust. The snow reportedly has a good bond to the underlying crust. Southerly slopes were affected by the sun, resulting in heavy wet snow, especially at lower elevations.
Below this, the snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Monday Night
Mostly clear. 20 to 30 km/h norhtwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 600 m.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 15 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of new snow. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Freezing level 800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
