Banner Summit

Be on the lookout for pockets of wind-drifted snow and small, loose snow sluffs in steep terrain. Small slides can pick up speed quickly thanks to the firm, icy surfaces underneath. Generally stable conditions exist and large avalanches are unlikely.

3-5" of new snow fell in this zone over the past two days. While this isn't enough to drastically change the stability picture, it is enough to generate some new, small hazards to be thinking about. Let's take a look at how this new snow will impact your day if you're out in the mountains:

FRESH WIND SLABS:  My partner and I were skiing in this zone yesterday and found that the light winds had not done much to move the new snow around (you can read my observation here). The wind slabs we encountered were found right along ridgelines and were unreactive to my weight. However, even though they were small, we were spent time looking for them and thinking about the consequences of triggering a slide involving them. How can you do this today? Use features like drifts and pillows of snow and dunes and ripples on the surface of the snow to help you to identify these fresh slabs. Remember that these features may be subtle because the winds have been light. Look for slabs and drifts near features that slow the wind down and force it to deposit the snow it is carrying. If the snow you are traveling in suddenly becomes much deeper or increases in stiffness you've likely found a wind slab. Cracks shooting out from your board or your skis are a clear sign that the slab you've found is reactive. 

LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHES: The low-density snow that fell over the past two days is sitting on a variety of firm and icy surfaces. If you are seeking out steep terrain, you will likely be able to initiate some loose snow sluffs involving this new snow. Though small, they will pick up speed rapidly thanks to the firm surfaces underneath. A period of partly cloudy skies this morning will allow for some sunshine to do its work on the new snow. Temperatures will be cold, but the sun may be able to set off some sluffs in very steep, rocky terrain. Be on the lookout for these if you are traveling in this type of terrain and be conscious of the terrain above you.

OLD WIND SLABS: Strong winds over the past week have built up a few rounds of denser wind slabs that are now buried by recent snowfall. As I traveled in this zone yesterday I noted that it was hard to identify visually where these slabs were because of the new snow on top of them. In most areas these slabs have had time to bond to the snow they are sitting on. However, in places where they are resting on well-developed weak layers, they may still be reactive to your weight. You'll find both better skiing and riding and safer conditions by avoiding these dense slabs.

While large avalanches are unlikely today, even small slides can ruin your day (or worse). Be mindful of the consequences of being caught in a small avalanche in the terrain that you are traveling through. Think about the objects you might be dragged through/over (rocks, cliff bands, trees, etc.) and where you might be deposited (terrain traps, creek beds, etc.). We encourage you to continue to use your safe travel protocols, even during periods of LOW danger; only expose one person to avalanche hazard at a time, keep a close eye on your partners, and carry your rescue gear and know how to use it. Now is a great time to practice using these skills.