Skiers and riders are likely to trigger avalanches in recently deposited slabs of wind-drifted snow. This problem will be most pronounced on leeward-facing slopes near treeline and above where fresh drifts will be 12-18 inches deep, and very sensitive to your weight. Cracking, collapsing, and hollow sounds are red flag signs that you have stepped onto a fresh drift. Slopes that face W-N-E are the bulls-eye location for this problem today, however strong winds often swirl and change direction in the mountains and can deposit snow on any aspect. On slopes that face SW-S-SE this problem will be more isolated. Many Southerly facing slopes may be scoured, but look for fresh drifts around any terrain features that facilitate loading such as gully walls, under cliff bands, along sub-ridges, beneath convexities, and in scoops, saddles, and sinks

For some time, we have remained in a low likelihood, high consequence scenario for avalanches failing down to the persistent weak layer (PWL). Deep wind-drifts have formed overnight on the same slopes that harbor weak layers of faceted snow, adding stress to the layer and increasing the likelihood of triggering a deep and very dangerous avalanche. Triggering an avalanche in wind-drifted snow remains your primary concern, and any avalanche triggered in wind-drifted snow has the potential to step down to the deeply buried persistent weak layer. The strategy is simple today, to avoid this problem, avoid slopes that harbor this PWL. Look for safe and fun riding in sheltered, low-angle terrain.

If you have been following our forecast, you have no doubt noticed that we have had a long-lasting persistent weak layer problem. Eric wrote a great blog about this problem, and why it has remained in our forecast for most of the season. It is worth your time to read the blog here.