Widespread crust and the effects of extreme wind are making mountain travel difficult. Despite the low rating, it's not a good time for big alpine objectives.
In any case, the best snow is to be found below the tree line, in areas protected from the wind.
Although much of the new snow was sublimated by the strong to extreme wind in the alpine and at the treeline, isolated pockets of reactive wind slabs can be found particularly under terrain breaks and in laterally loaded areas.
A few deposits of fallen cornices, dating from Wednesday's thaw, were observed at the foot of the mur des Patrouilleurs.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
There is 5 to 10 cm of new snow in areas protected from the wind. This snow rests on a thick refreezing crust that can support the weight of a skier. Skiing is at its best on gentle, protected slopes below the treeline.
The strong to extreme south-westerly and then westerly winds have greatly affected the alpine and tree line. Many slopes were devoid of snow. Only the eastern slopes were slightly favored.
The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, resting on a combo of facetted grains and crusts. Depth hoar is developing at the base of the snowpack.
Synopsis: Sun and heat for the next few days.
Friday evening and night: Clearing in the evening, then partly cloudy. Wind west 40-60 km/h. Low -17.
Saturday: Cloudy, clearing midday. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -1. Freezing level at 500 m.
Sunday: Cloudy. Wind southwest 15 to 35 km/h. High +1. Freezing level at 700 m.
Monday: Sunny. Wind southwest, 15 to 30 km/h. Maximum 0. Freezing level at 500 m.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
