Choose slopes that are sheltered from the wind, and avoid, shallow, rocky alpine slopes.
Where wind slabs sit on a buried weak layer, large avalanches are more likely.
Human-triggering will remain possible, especially on lee terrain and near ridge tops. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger-than-expected avalanches.
Avalanches could be bigger than expected, as some recent avalanches have propagated widely on 50 to 100 cm deep crust and surface hoar layers. Be especially cautious anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
On Sunday, northwest of Pemberton, a large (size 2) skier remote avalanche was reported on a north aspect in rocky alpine terrain. This problem seems to be most active in this general area, but due to it's low-likelihood/high consequence nature, we remain wary of the rest of the forecast area.
On Friday, very large persistent slabs (up to size 3), 100-120 cm deep, were naturally triggered on Decker Mountain and Panorama Ridge in Whistler, on rocky alpine northern slopes.
15-25 cm of recent snow may be found over a thin frozen crust up to 2000 m.
Underneath, a mix of soft snow and heavily wind-affected snow overlies a layer of poorly bonded crusts and surface hoar. These have shown sensitivity to natural and remote triggers over the last 3 days. The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
The snowpack at treeline has been rain-saturated, and a surface crust may form soon with upcoming cooling. Total snow depths remain below average, with 60 to 80 cm at treeline.
Monday Night
Increasing cloud through the night. No snow/rain expected. Light south or southeast ridgetop wind, treeline temperature around -2 °C, freezing level 1100-1400 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy. 5-7 cm of snow above 1000 m. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -1 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. Isolated flurries above 1200 m. Light southwest ridgetop wind. treeline temperature around -2 ° C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 10 cm of snow expected above 750 m. Light to moderate south or southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
