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Backcountry Avalanche Advisory

As of Tuesday, Dec. 29

Please note that Backcountry refers to any areas outside the Ski Area Boundary

Alpine: Moderate through Thursday

Treeline: Moderate through Thursday

Below Treeline: Low through Thursday

Travel Advisory: Last week's storm snow continues to settle and strengthen. The cold clear nights have left us with 3-5mm surface hoar at treeline and below and a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects. This is now sitting under the 1cm of new snow we received last night. Expect the avalanche hazard to increase as a strong frontal system is expected to arrive on Thursday night bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds. This additional load may be enough to step down to the early December facet/crust interface.

Avalanche Activity: Explosive cornice testing has produced no slabs within the ski area over the past few days. Solar aspects have been heating up in the afternoons and we have seen snowballing on these slopes.

Snowpack: A strengthening upper snowpack still sits over the early December facet/crust layer. Shears at this interface have become harder to propogate through the week as the milder temperatures help this bond. The anticipated storm on Thursday may bring enough of a load to step down to this layer. Areas of melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and 3-5mm surface hoar at treeline are now sitting under 1cm of new snow.

Weather: Light precipitation, moderate winds and cool temperatures over the next couple of days before a more vigorous frontal system arrives Thursday night bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds and rising freezing levels for the weekend.

Travel with a partner and be equipped and prepared for self-rescue. Watch out for winch-cats or snowmobile traffic if you re-enter the area after operating hours.

- Blackcomb Snow Safety