Sugarbowl

Up to 60 cm of recent snow, combined with strong southwest winds has built reactive new slabs.

Seek out sheltered terrain with no wind effect.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

On Tuesday, a skier accidentally triggered a small size 1 storm slab on an east-facing slope below treeline. Other reports of cracking and reactivity in the recent storm snow have also come in the last couple of days.

There have been limited observations from this area. If you’re heading out, please consider sharing details about what you experience on the Mountain Information Network.

Around 50 to 70 cm of snow is currently covering a thick melt-freeze crust that exists up to around 2000 m and on all solar aspects. Southwesterly winds will continue building wind slabs on lee north and easterly slopes.

A layer of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried 80 to 100+ cm. Lingering concern for triggering this layer remains on high alpine northerly slopes above 2000 m.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
• Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.