Great skiing still exists on polar smooth features. Remember there is only 50-70cm on average at treeline, so take it easy and enjoy the good travel and nice skiing where it exists. Snow transport was observed today from West winds, so wind slabs will start showing up as the wind continues.
Slabs are slowly, but steadily building in the alpine. It's time to be aware of the thick to thin transitional areas and how easily an avalanche can be triggered.
This slab is sitting on the October crust which has facets above it and provides a good sliding surface. It is more reactive on N and E aspects.
Nothing new today,
Changes are happening. Between wind and temperature changes we are seeing the addition of windslabs in the alpine and upper treeline and a general weakening of the lower elevation snowpack. A bit of a contrast for sure, but the different snow character is easy to see and predict. Valley bottom up to about 2300-2400 is weak with little structure in untouched areas. The Oct crust is still evident, however it is slowly breaking down. Above the 23-2400m mark wind transport is the name of the game. Windslabs, sastrugi and exposed rock are in plentiful supply.
Weather, there isn't much to talk about right now with the weather. Saturday will be mainly cloudy with flurries throughout the day, no real accumulation is expected. Ridge top winds at 45km/h out of the West with day time highs of -8.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
