There was quite a bit of avalanche activity on Tuesday with weaknesses reported within the storm snow and at the new snow/old snow interface. Predictably, weaknesses within the new snow have settled out and I could only get cracking on slopes that were wind-drifted. Still getting clean shears at the new/old snow interface as the new snow did not bond well to the old snow surface.

Ski cuts on steep slopes could get the top 10-15 cms of storm snow that fell overnight to sluff on steeper slopes.

There were some sensitive pockets of wind-drifted snow along exposed ridges and this was the only snow we could find that was reactive. It seems winds are only affecting exposed, upper-elevation slopes.

From what we saw today, most slopes have a Moderate danger for sluffing and lingering sensitive soft slabs but the biggest concern is slopes that are wind-drifted.

As Nikki mentioned on the last two forecasts, instabilities are determined with this storm snow: pull out your shovel and dig down looking for weaknesses within the storm snow or at the interface with the old snow surface. Ski cuts at the top of slopes or before committing to a steeper rollover are also quite effective.