Wind slabs still linger at higher elevations. Look for signs of instability and wind effect before committing to big lines.
The best riding will be found in wind sheltered terrain where pockets of powder still exist.
These isolated pockets of wind slab at higher elevations may remain reactive to human triggers in lee terrain near ridge crest or in extreme terrain.
Recent winds have varied in direction, expect wind slabs on all aspects.
As avalanche danger decreases, keep up good travel habits when moving through avalanche terrain.
A natural cornice fall was reported on Tuesday in the far north of the Sea to Sky Region.
Explosive control work near Whistler on Tuesday produced a cornice fall that triggered a size 2.5 deep persistent slab on weak crystals above the early December crust. The slab was triggered mid slope, 60-130cm deep. This indicates that while the weak layer is unlikely to be triggered by skiers and riders, it is still able to be affected by large loads like a cornice.
A high pressure system has established itself across the coast. Clear skies and warm air at higher elevations will persist until Friday.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies with possible valley cloud. Light and variable winds, freezing levels around 2500 m with an inversion.
THURSDAY: Sunny with possible valley fog/cloud. moderate southwest winds, freezing levels around 2500 m with an inversion. Alpine high of +4.
FRIDAY: Scattered cloud, moderate to strong southwest winds. Freezing levels fall from 2000 m to below 1500 m over the day. Alpine high of +2.
SATURDAY: A mix of sun and cloud, with strong southwest winds. Freezing levels below 1500 m. Alpine high of -2.
High elevations hold pockets of dry snow redistributed as wind slabs mostly found on north through east facing slopes, however recent winds have varied so expect loading on all aspects at ridge line.
The January 16 melt freeze crust sits around 30cm deep, observed up to 2100 m. Surface hoar was observed above the crust on south facing slopes at treeline and in the alpine north of Pemberton but this does not appear to be widespread. At lower elevations, the previously rain soaked upper snowpack is moist and may be capped with a breakable crust.
The crust/facet layer formed in early December can be found around 100-200 cm deep, most prominent between 1700 and 2100 m. In shallow features it may sit only 60cm below the surface. This layer showed no reactivity from the warming event on the weekend and is classified as dormant currently. Large loads such as a cornice falls may still be able to trigger avalanches on this layer, especially in areas where the snowpack thins.
