Bridgeport Avalanche Center

Avalanche conditions remain generally safe, it is unlikely to trigger an avalanche today. If you are venturing into the back country, know that your biggest hazard to navigate is variable surface conditions. Open creeks,  slick surfaces, uneven terrain and abrupt changes in snow cover should be considered when selecting a route. 

Normal caution

Ground Hog day is tomorrow but it feels like it's been going on for a month. Our last measurable precip in the Forecast area was on Jan 9th. Sheltered terrain continues to hold pockets of cold faceted snow which are  providing quality turns/ riding, At lower elevation solar aspects have been warming and have  made it possible to find corn skiing  if you time it right, altough today's gusty wind may keep all slopes firm and frozen. Higher elevation terrain has been a checkerboard of variable conditions, one moment you're in soft snow the next is  firm wind scoured terrain or an anti track that is a foot tall.  Quality snow exists but you have to know where to look and be willing to work for it. Stable snowpack, warm days and fast snow have made excllent days to get out an explore!

 A few non avalanche hazards include:

• Creek beds are wide open or snow bridges deteriorating.
• Firm and fast  conditions in the alpine  make having your sharps kit  for an alpine adventure  advisable ( crampons, axe, whippet etc...)
• Warm daytime temperatures have exposed rocks, bare ground, logs and stumps, and open water. On warm slopes, rockfall has been occurring. 
• Wind exposed slopes near and above treeline have been scoured down to old, firm layers. 
• Avoid steep, firm slopes to prevent long falls and runaway equipment
• As quality snow fades, now is a great time to get your crew together and bury some beacons and get rescue practice going.

Please consider submitting an observation using our website or the Avy app. This hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts.