Spring Riding in December

Very warm temps in the Red Deer today, +8° in the trees. Sky was overcast all day, clearing briefly to the south from about 2-4 pm. Snow was wet and heavy, but ok to ride in the trees if you could find lines. Total depth of snow was 110 cm in a meadow south of Miller Junction. We did not see any recent signs of instability from yesterday or today, but there was signs of widespread slides about a week old on N and E aspects in the alpine. We could see several slide paths and old crown lines, although everything was covered by drifted snow. Winds were mild in valley bottom but significant higher in alpine, we could see lots of drifting and wind transport above us. This snow is setting up into a good base, but we need more snow!

Warm, temp inversion with colder temps in valley bottoms and rising temps towards Treeline. No recent precipitation, high overcast clearing late afternoon. Strong winds in alpine from SW all day.