When the snowpack is shallow, wind-loaded bowls and gullies may seem like an appealing place to get some turns, but this is where avalanches are most likely.
Wind-loaded features like sharp breaks in terrain, bowls and gullies may present as an appealing place to get some early-season turns, but they're also the places where avalanches are most likely to occur.
No new avalanches have been reported, but observations are very limited at this time of year.
If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.
Recent warm temperatures have likely created a moist or crusty snow surface in most places. In the alpine, dry surface snow has been heavily wind affected.
Total snow depth at treeline is 30-50 cm.
A weak layer of faceted snow may be present at the base of the snowpack. Shallow snowpack depths mean you should be able to dig and check for this layer.
Monday night
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, southwest alpine wind 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries, west alpine wind 30 to 50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, southeast alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, southeast alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
