Southern Flathead Range

Took a quick walk in a familiar area to see what recent Arctic winds and snow had done for coverage and riding quality. •E winds have created competing cornices and wind effected surfaces in exposed areas. •Crossloading was obvious at upper elevations as large dunes were observed on clean, open slopes and surely created from recent, Easterly arctic winds. Due to expected poor riding quality and subsequent danger, we opted for isolated terrain features free of crossloading, and thus better riding. •We skied SE slopes in boot-top powder which capped recent and stable wind board that tapered off the further one skied from wind prone ridgelines and slopes. •The east ridge we descended is uniquely exposed to Arctic air intrusions and large, atypical cornice development was observed. In one location, we observed a recently developed cornice that broke and caused a slide at middle elevations. It is unknown if this slide was a cornice failure or a slab release due to recent wind loading filling in the starting zone. Debris/block were strained through relatively thick trees and ran 250' and 100' wide on a ~35*, N slope (5500'). I would estimate this to have occurred last week (Mon-Weds??) when Easterly winds in neighboring JFS canyon ramped up. •Below 5000' in wind sheltered terrain, mid-pack facets make their presence known with deep ski penetration and slow motion, knee deep riding on the menu (tips up!) Minor cracking around skis in wind prone locations, one collapse/whumpf at 6600' on a ridgeline

Southern Flathead Range

Quick report

Weather

Avalanche