The LSAC still has room for more folks in both our Level 1 (Jan 28-30) and our Level 2 (Feb 3-6) Avalanche Courses. These courses are provided through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education who offer an excellent curriculum and teaching methods. They're also inexpensive!

An inch or two of new snow overnight in the La Sals, trace in the Abajos.

The BOTTOM LINE for today in the Abajo and La Sal Mountains is an avalanche danger of MODERATE or LEVEL 2.

Skiing and Riding conditions are excellent E-NE-NW facing slopes and in flat areas.

It looks like an inch or two of new snow has fallen overnight at the Geyser Pass Trailhead since about 1 AM last night. Sun has made SE-S- SW facing slopes pretty crusty and winds have also damaged snow quality up high. Nonetheless great skiing and riding conditions can still be found on low and mid elevation shady side slopes.

Last Wednesday we took a tour down to the Abajos for a bit of a change up. We found some fantastic NE. facing snow, very convenient access, and the lovely feature of not having to put your skins back on to get back to the parking lot after skiing like you do with so many tours in the La Sals. We found about 50 inches of snow at about 10,000 ft over there. Try it out!

We have about 55 inches of snow at the Gold Basin Study Plot, and 32 inches at the La Sal Snotel. We are 133% of normal water in the La Sals and 201% of normal in the Abajos.

The Geyser Pass road was plowed on 1/11/11. It is buffed. Access to the old Blue Mountain Ski area in the Abajos has been plowed to the base of the hill - very convenient!

Almost all of the La Sal Nordic system has been groomed by Matt Hebbard. There are probably 12 miles or so of groomed trails up there and we've tried to add some extra terrain at lower elevations near the trailhead so take advantage folks! Maps are available at the Geyser Pass TH Kiosk.

class 1 sluffing in newest snow,

some wet stuff from the last couple of days.

NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:

Today: A 30 percent chance of snow before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. North northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. North northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east northeast. Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 25. M.L.King Day: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 35. Monday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and blustery, with a low around 19. Tuesday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.

We will update this message Saturday morning.

The Utah Avalanche Center has a limited number of discount lift tickets available for Brian Head Ski Resort. Follow this link for more information: http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center

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. Tentative dates for the class are February 3-6. 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.