Manitoba

We toured up Manitoba with the goal of checking snow conditions and looking for any recent avalanche activity. We did not observe any recent avalanches. However, at upper elevations above 2,800 ft there was evidence of recent wind, with ski tracks from the previous day partially filled in. While we did not encounter any reactive wind slabs, the moderate winds yesterday along with evidence of blown in tracks suggested the there was potential for shallow wind slabs in the area. Snow conditions were mostly dust on crust above 2,500 ft, with 4–5 inches of snow sitting atop a variety of old wind textures. In more sheltered areas below 2,500 ft, some pockets of snow felt deeper where the recent storm snow accumulated over previously soft, wind-protected surfaces. Overall, we found good stability, nice weather, and decent riding conditions.

We dug a pit at 2,900 ft on a southwesterly aspect to target an area where the February 10 melt-freeze crust (found up to around 3,000 ft in Summit) was buried beneath recent storm snow rather than exposed at the surface, as seen in some heavily scoured areas. The snowpack measured 70" deep, with about 10 inches of soft snow sitting above the February 10 crust. Beneath the crust we found roughly 1" of 1–2 mm facets. An Extended Column Test on this crust/facet combination did not produce unstable results, likely due to the fact that we did not have a cohesive slab above it. The overlying snow was light and unconsolidated and did not shear cleanly in shovel shear tests. Where this structure exists with a thicker or more cohesive slab, results could be different, so it is something we will continue to monitor.

The December facet layer remained present about 4' down from this crust but was too deep to effectively test with our ECT and appeared to be showing signs of healing and rounding.