Sea To Sky

Evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall then clearing, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 30 to 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

MONDAY: Clear skies with no precipitation, 10 to 30 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 15 cm, 20 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 10 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -9 C.

Explosives triggered cornices along ridgelines. Otherwise, no recent avalanches were observed.

Looking forward, wind slabs could be triggered by riders out of steep terrain. Use caution on sun-exposed slopes and near cornices during the heat of the day, when resulting avalanches are more likely.

10 to 20 cm of dry, wind-affected snow sits above a hard melt-freeze crust in the alpine. Wind slabs could form in lee terrain features in the alpine from strong northeast wind. A surface melt-freeze crust is found at treeline and below, which may moisten during daytime heating.

A melt-freeze crust that formed late March to early April is found 60 to 100 cm deep. Avalanches were sliding on this layer last week, but activity has since decreased. The likelihood of triggering this layer is low given the cool weather.

There are no deeper concerns at this time.

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.