South Rockies

Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes. Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to rider-triggering.

On Wednesday, skier-triggered wind slabs (size 1) were reported from alpine and treeline terrain. Explosive control produced one size 2 wind slab from alpine terrain. Observations were limited due to poor visibility.

In the past few days, 20 cm of new snow fell accompanied by strong to extreme southwest winds. This created wind slabs in lee areas and scoured surfaces at alpine and treeline elevations.

Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes and hard, wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain.

The snowpack depth varies greatly, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 200 cm.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 50 to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 1 cm of snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.