It is wise to start your day early, taking advantage of the fast travel conditions while the snow surface is frozen.
Good winter skiing can be found on true northerly aspects in the Alpine and upper Tree-line. Elsewhere expect to find sun-effect on the surface, making travel challenging.
The new snow will need time to bond to the old surfaces, especially where it sits over a firm crust on solar aspects. Use extra caution near ridge crests and lee features where deeper wind deposits will be more reactive. Expect natural avalanches on solar aspects when the Spring sun shines!
Today, two sz 1 storm slabs were remoted above the Bonney Moraines on east aspects, sliding on the Apr 9 melt/freeze crust.
Yesterday, a field team in the Christiana Ridge zone was able to ski-control moist storm slabs on steep solar aspects. Though sluggish to start moving, these slow slabs gathered considerable mass, sliding on the April 9 melt/freeze crust.
In the Alpine and high Tree-line, 20-30cm of snow sits over a firm crust on solar aspects and well settled dry snow on northerly aspects.
At tree line the snow depth is at a record low of around 220cm. The Feb 3rd crust/facet layer persists at upper elevations, buried down 80-140cm.
Below tree line is a well-settled spring snowpack with a strong surface crust that will break down during the heat of the day.
Flurries return Thurs, with continuing unsettled weather forecasted through the weekend
Tonight: Cloudy, Alp low -4°C, light SW winds, freezing level (FZL) 1500m.
Thurs: Flurries, 5-10cm, Alp high -1°C, light/mod SW winds, FZL 1900m.
Fri: Flurries, 5cm, Alp high 1°C, light/gusting mod SW winds, FZL 2100m.
Sat: Mix of sun/cloud, Alp high 1°C, light/gusting mod SW winds, FZL 2300m.
