Level 2 - Moderate avalanche dangers exist in mountains of SE Utah above treeline on shady East through North through Northwest facing slopes. Persistent, brittle wind slabs may be perched up high waiting for the unwary skier or high-marker. Level 1 - LOW avalanche dangers can be expected elsewhere.

Poor coverage is the primary hazard for winter recreationists in the mountains of SE Utah at the moment. The snow is thin and ground hazards are pronounced. Be careful in the backcountry.

Good afternoon. It is Friday December 10th at 4:30 PM. Yesterday's grey skies and cloud did little to add to mountain snowpack here in SE Utah with the La Sals picking up only a trace of new snow. Tonight and Saturday's storm isn't expected to do much either, as most of the energy is forecast to pass to our north.

We have only 29 inches at our Gold Basin Study plot and the NRCS SNOTEL site above the Geyser Pass Trailhead shows only 12 inches. This accurately depicts the variability of our windblown snow and should also emphasize the lack of ground cover in the backcountry right now. While the potential for avalanches still exists in the high country, the primary hazard in mountains of SE Utah right now is the lack of coverage. Be careful out there folks.

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has been plowed and is passable by a 2wd vehicle. Access to the east side of the La Sals and the Dark Canyon Trailhead has also been opened up.

The Grooming program has not officially started for the season but Max and I have packed the road into Gold Basin a couple of times and it is now in really good shape for skate skiing.

We haven't observed anything here in the La Sals but limited avi activity is still being reported from the San Juans with a nearly identical snowpack to what we have here in the La Sals. Very weak snowpack structures confirmed!

Forecast for 10,000 feet:

Next storm cycle favors the northern parts of Utah and Colorado. Expect warm and windy conditions here in SEUtah. No accumulation in our zone forecast. Chance of snow again mid-week.

This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. West northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east. Sunday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north northwest. Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Wednesday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.

The LSAC will be offering 2 avalanche classes this year. Our yearly Level 1 class will be held January 28, 29 and 30 of this winter season. The level 1 class focuses on avalanche phenomena, recognition and management of terrain where you might encounter these beasts and basic rescue.

This season, if we can pick up 6 participants, we are also hoping to do a Level 2 class. Tenative dates for the class are February 24-27. It is a 4-day class reviewing the basics covered in level 1, then carrying the subject matter further, exploring snowpack formation, crystal analysis, climactic effects and advanced rescue.

Call 435-636-3363 and speak to Dave or Max for more information or to sign up for one of the classes.

Volunteers! Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA) groomer training is on December 18th. Learn how to groom and handle snowmachines. Cross-country and skate ski! Contribute to your community. Yeah. Call Kirsten at 260-0042 for more info or show up at the MARC at 7:30.