As of Tuesday, Dec. 28
We have 25 cm of new snow over a very stiff Dec. 20 ice crust. This interface seems to have bonded well with the only avalanche activity coming from within the soft storm snow. There is now buried surface hoar that had grown on the ice crust to be aware of, despite its lack of reaction in the first 24 hours of being covered. Easterly winds over the past few days has created small stiff slabs in westerly/cross-loaded slopes that have been reactive to the weight of a skier/boarder. Cornices have grown and all aspects should be considered to have been loaded with snow from the past storm. Steep solar aspects have also been snowballing with daytime warming.
Surface hoar has grown over the past 24 hours up to 7 mm, keep this in mind as we are expecting some snow tomorrow. A fall on wind scoured slopes may still be the biggest hazard out there.
The avalanche danger rating is MODERATE.
Travel cautiously if you decide to venture into the backcountry. Call 604-938-7676 for daily updated avalanche bulletins or contact the ski patrol on either mountain for the most current information.
