If you can manage the access, good riding can still be found on high elevation shady terrain. Watch for isolated wind slabs and don't forget about the deep snowpack problem which will remain until it melts.
High and dry alpine north aspects likely still hold pockets of wind slab. Watch for these wind slab pockets in steep north and east-facing, leeward slopes.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. Thinner snowpack areas and areas with variable thick and thin coverage at alpine elevations is where this problem is most likely found.
Friday's reports spoke to further evidence of Wednesday's widespread natural wind slab and wet loose avalanche cycle. Explosive tests on cornices and north facing terrain released up to size 2 slabs in the storm snow. A few natural size 2 slabs were reported running on the April 1 melt-freeze crust.
The reports we received on Wednesday indicate a widespread wind slab avalanche cycle up to size 3 in the Cariboo Mtns. Additionally small loose dry avalanches at high elevations and loose wet slides on all aspects and elevations.
Daytime convective clouds continue to bring snow, mainly in the Cariboos and primarily at alpine elevations. On north aspects above 1600 m, the 20-50 cm of recent but settling snow overlies old, faceted grains, now around 30-70 cm deep.
On solar aspects to mountaintop, and even some north aspects to around 2000m the recent snow either overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust or this crust is at the surface. Solar aspects are becoming moist in the afternoon, as are all aspects at lower elevations (around 1700 or 1800 m).
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack remains a concern, primarily in alpine terrain shallow or variable (thick and thin) snowpack depths.
Saturday Night
Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level falling to around 1500 m. Moderate SW wind.
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries during the day. Freezing level around 2100 m. Moderate southerly wind. Treeline temperatures around 0 C. Snow picks up after the sun sets with up to 10 cm of snow by Monday morning.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Flurries with only an additional 1 to 3 cm accumulating. Freezing level around 1500 m and treeline temperatures around -5 to -10 C. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Tuesday:
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Only a trace of new snow. Freezing level around 1600 m and treeline temperatures around -3 to - 8 C. Light, gusting to moderate southwest winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
