Riders could trigger large avalanches on various buried layers. Conservative decision making is essential.
A weak layer of facets and/or surface hoar may rest above a hard-melt freeze crust that formed early February. This layer remains in the depth for human triggering and has recently been triggered by riders.
Riders could trigger storm slabs that formed from the weekend's snow. These slabs may remain touchy for a while, particularly where they have poor bonds to surface hoar, facets, or a hard crust.
In the neighbouring region, many natural and skier triggered persistent slab avalanches occurred on the facets above the early-February melt-freeze crust described in the Snowpack Summary. They occurred on northerly aspects between 1600 and 2000 m and were 50 to 80 cm thick.
Riders could trigger similar avalanches in the coming days. Persistent slab problems take a while to heal so giving them time is warranted.
30 to 40 cm of recent snow sits on a variety of layers that it may not bond well to, including surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain, weak facets, or a hard melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed south and west-facing slopes. The wind has likely formed thicker deposits in lee terrain features near ridges.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 50 to 70 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it, which makes it a troublesome avalanche layer.
The remainder of the snowpack is settled.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
Tuesday
Clear skies with afternoon clouds. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
