New snow and wind slab problems both increase with elevation. The safest, best skiing will likely be found in sheltered high elevations with more uniform coverage over the crust.
20-40 cm of new snow in the alpine has been forming new wind slabs under the influence of strong to extreme south winds. Expect this problem to increase in seriousness as you gain elevation.
With the wet avalanche cycle finished, focus has shifted to new snow in the alpine.
In the Whistler area, 10-20 cm of dry new snow allowed for productive avalanche control missions Thursday. At first these yielded small cornices and dry slabs, but with afternoon warming transitioned to small wet loose releases. This all took place at 1950 m and lower.
Looking forward, higher elevations holding wind slabs formed with roughly double these new snow amounts remain a concern.
Reports of dry new snow above 2100 m suggest a maximum of 30-40 cm in the Whistler area. Locations father south and west of Hwy 99 should have 10-20 cm more.
In the Whistler area these amounts taper off quickly to 10-15 cm above 1800 m. This new snow has been redistributed by strong to extreme south winds and it overlies an increasingly thick and supportive crust with moist or wet snow extending 30-50 cm below it. Even where new snow exists, the crust has likely been exposed by wind in many areas.
The mid and lower snowpack consists of various old crusts and is generally well-settled and well-bonded.
Friday night
Cloudy with continuing flurries bringing up to 10 cm of new snow. South alpine winds shifting west and easing, 10 to 20 km/h.
Saturday
Mainly sunny. North or northwest alpine winds 5-10 km/h. Treeline temperature -2°C with freezing level around 1400 m.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Northeast alpine wind 20-30 km/h, increasing. Treeline temperature -4°C with freezing level around 1200 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. East or northeast alpine wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 with freezing levels reaching 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
