The snowpack is still adjusting to the big storm and needs sometime to get comfortable in its own skin. Our setup is tricky because the snow will feel solid and good to go under our skis, board, or sled. These kind of conditions allow us to get well out onto the slope before it fails, often times breaking above us. We've got to remember there's a weak layer now buried several feet deep in our midpack with strong, dense, cohesive snow resting on top of it. Yep, it's a strong snow on weak snow setup and you know that's a dangerous combination in our mountains. Found mostly on steep, rocky, mid and upper elevations facing the north half of the compass, todays slabs are going to be reactive to our additional weight and may break deeper and wider than you might expect.
Also... any slide triggered that breaks into older snow near the ground, will take you for a body bruising ride through stumps, rocks, or deadfall, instantly ruining your day. I think it'll be a little spooky out there today, but it doesn't mean we can't ride. It does mean we should avoid rolling the dice and simply stay off of and out from under steep, wind drifted terrain. We can have a blast today carving deep trenches in wide open meadows or on low angle slopes with no steep terrain hanging above us.
You can clearly see the new snow/old snow interface in this image and that's been the culprit in the widespread avalanche cycle we just experienced. The storm has been a big wallop to the snowpack and it's gonna need sometime to adjust. Click here to watch a short viddy as Mark explains why things remain tricky and dangerous.