BY FAR the weakest snow was near the surface on slopes that previously avalanched. We looked at the snow surface in many areas. On slopes sheltered from sun and wind were a little weak and had some surface hoar, HOWEVER, we were shocked how weak & faceted the snow was on bed surfaces of recent slides. The snow profile above is from the bed surface of this slide triggered on Jan 18.

Video below shows weak, faceted snow at another avalanche bed surface.

Sheltered slopes without snowmobile tracks had the best snow and the most surface hoar. Hard to say if it will survive, BUT it will likely survive on small, open sheltered slopes. With the coming storm, it will put a slab of new snow on top. Be especially watchful of small open slopes when boondocking. The new snow should slide easy and possibly farther than youd expect because it will be resting on these weak, surface hoar crystals.