The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the alpine on NW, N, NE & E facing aspects as a few soft slabs exist up high. Pockets of MODERATE danger exist near tree line on wind affected slopes. All other aspects and elevations have a LOW avalanche danger. Be on the lookout for changing conditions today. Increasing winds & precipitation could quickly bring the danger to CONSIDERABLE.

Riding conditions are exceptional on the plateau at the moment. Over the hood face shots are currently being served. It's riding conditions like this that make Utah sledding unique & fantastic. Should make for an excellent holiday weekend. Get out there and get after it while you can as nothing gold can stay.

While the riding is great, continue to employ best practices. Take your avalanche rescue gear, ride one at a time on slopes and stay out of avalanche run-outs while you’re watching you buddies. Good habits keep you alive!

Friday morning provided excellent visibility in the alpine, and I did not see any recent activity, natural or otherwise. I noted a few cornice failures but these did not trigger anything. Riders were getting after it Friday in the big alpine bowls and the snowpack co-operated nicely. I have not heard of human triggered activity this week either. Check out a recent snow profile here.

Pre-dawn temperatures are hovering around 15 degrees while winds are light out of the S at less than 5mph. A system will move in off the coast of Oregon this morning giving us 3-6" of new snow. Winds will accompany this storm although they are expected to remain below 20 mph. A brief shot of high pressure will settle in tonight before being kicked out by overcast skies and a chance of snow for Sunday. Things will remain overcast without a whole lot going on until another front rolls through on Monday night bringing us another shot of Utah's finest.

If you see or trigger an avalanche it would do the community good to report it. Your observations help to save the lives of others. The forecast area is large, and due to funding cuts I only have one field day to spend on the Skyline. This means that I can't possibly see it all. I need you to help me, help you. Please share your observations and experiences:

Shoot me an email: grant@utahavalanchecenter.org and or call me on my cell: 406-370-1337. Thanks!

Due to budget cuts we are only able to produce an advisory that is updated each Saturday morning.

Keep in mind that conditions change dramatically and that information may not be relevant for later in the week.

Want to schedule an avalanche awareness talk? Contact me for details.

This forecast will be updated by 7:00am Saturday February 21st.