A weak snowpack combined with bitterly cold weather means that conservative terrain travel is needed.
Two weak layers are buried at a prime depth for human triggering within the top metre of the snowpack. Most avalanches to date have released between 1700 and 2200 m.
Riders triggered a few small storm and wind slabs within the top 10 to 20 cm of snow, generally in wind affected terrain.
The latest persistent slab activity occurred December 18. Activity may remain quiet during this cold spell but the buried weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary could become touchy again with warmer weather and new snow that is forecast for the coming weekend.
Around 5 to 15 cm of snow overlies a widespread weak layer of surface hoar crystals and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes. The snow surface is wind affected in exposed terrain features from northerly wind, with soft and faceted snow found in sheltered areas.
Two problematic layers exist around 40 and 70 cm deep, consisting of surface hoar, faceted grains, and/or a melt-freeze crust. Avalanches have been most prominent between 1700 and 2200 m on all aspects. Read our forecaster blog for managing a persistent slab problem.
Wednesday Night
Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 km/h northeast wind, treeline temperature -27 °C.
Thursday
Clear skies with late afternoon clouds and no precipitation, 10 km/h south wind, treeline temperature -25 °C.
FridayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -17 °C.
SaturdayCloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
