Two-step around today's primary avalanche concerns, and you can enjoy great riding. Look for - and avoid - firm but thin slabs of drifted snow at mid and upper elevations. A rider was caught and carried in a one of these Wednesday. These slabs will grow thicker and more common with today's winds. Steer around steep, shaded terrain at mid-elevations, where you can still trigger slabs that break 1 to 2 feet deep on weak snow buried in mid-January.  

Another day of mild weather and diminishing avalanche danger. A good day to poke into terrain you’ve been eyeing. Stay watchful for exceptions to the generally stable conditions: recently-formed wind slabs up high, and a lingering danger of slabs breaking 1 to 2 feet deep at mid elevations. Bigger consequences are all the more reason to keep it tight: ride one at a time, watch from avalanche-proof safe zones, carry a full set of rescue gear, and do transceiver checks.

Benign weather is allowing our snowpack to gain strength. Recent winds formed thin slabs on all aspects; these may be sensitive to the weight of a rider. Slabs will be thickest between Essex and Marias Pass, an area favored by snowfall Sunday night. Weak layers buried 1-2' below the surface remain a concern at low and mid-elevations. Look for signs of wind scouring and deposition as you gain elevation. Areas sheltered from the wind will offer softer snow. 

Benign weather is allowing our snowpack to gain strength. Recent winds formed thin slabs on all aspects; these may be sensitive to the weight of a rider. Slabs will be thickest between Essex and Marias Pass, an area favored by snowfall Sunday night. Weak layers buried 1-2' below the surface remain a concern at low and mid-elevations. Look for signs of wind scouring and deposition as you gain elevation. Areas sheltered from the wind will offer softer snow. 

Benign weather is allowing our snowpack to gain strength. Recent winds formed thin slabs on all aspects; these may be sensitive to the weight of a rider. Slabs will be thickest between Essex and Marias Pass, an area favored by snowfall Sunday night. Weak layers buried 1-2' below the surface remain a concern at low and mid-elevations. Look for signs of wind scouring and deposition as you gain elevation. Areas sheltered from the wind will offer softer snow. 

Spotty snowfall accumulations and breezy winds accompanied the arrival of a cold front yesterday afternoon. Swirling winds continue forming slabs on all aspects throughout our area. These will be thickest, and the avalanche danger higher, as you near the Continental Divide.  Weak layers buried 1-2' below the surface remain a concern at low and mid-elevations. Evaluate new snow totals and look for drifting snow as you gain elevation. Areas sheltered from the wind will offer softer snow. 

There will be an uptick in westerly winds today ahead of a passing cold front. Watch for fresh drifts forming down wind of ridges and on crossloaded features near and above treeline. Especially concerning are new wind slabs that may develop on top of our buried surface hoar at middle elevations. Shooting cracks and collapsing are red flags that should direct you to sheltered, less steep terrain.

There will be an uptick in westerly winds today ahead of a passing cold front. Watch for fresh drifts forming down wind of ridges and on crossloaded features near and above treeline. Especially concerning are new wind slabs that may develop on top of our buried surface hoar at middle elevations. Shooting cracks and collapsing are red flags that should direct you to sheltered, less steep terrain.

Slopes below 6500’ continue to harbor persistent weak layers that can be triggered by your weight. In higher terrain, smaller storm slabs and sluffing are the primary concern. Open glades containing steep convexities and terrain traps deserve a second look.

You will have to travel through a ring of challenging buried weak layers to get to smaller and easier to manage problems up high.  Be wary of sparsley gladed, steep rollovers and gullies below 6,000' where surface hoar and facets are lurking 1 to 2 feet below the snow surface.  

You will have to travel through a ring of challenging buried weak layers to get to smaller and easier to manage problems up high.  Be wary of sparsley gladed, steep rollovers and gullies below 6,000' where surface hoar and facets are lurking 1 to 2 feet below the snow surface.  

The storm has ended, but conditions are ripe for human-triggered avalanches. These can break in the new snow, or 2 feet deep on weak layers buried in mid-January. Conservative decision making is essential today, especially at mid-elevations, where a buried surface hoar layer has been producing avalanches all week. 

Keep it tight today.  New snow has created very dangerous and complex avalanche conditions. Today, it will be easy to trigger avalanches that break 1 to 2 feet deep at all elevations, and long-running natural avalanches are a serious threat. The most dangerous conditions exist at mid-elevations, where weak layers have consistently produced avalanches all week. Avoid traveling on or below any slope steeper than about 30 degrees, even small slopes above creeks and gullies.  

Keep it tight today.  New snow has created dangerous and complex avalanche conditions. Today, it will be easy to trigger avalanches that break 1 to 2 feet deep at all elevations, and natural avalanches are a serious threat. The most dangerous conditions exist at mid-elevations, where weak layers have consistently produced avalanches all week. Make conservative choices near or below any slope steeper than about 30 degrees, even small slopes above creeks and gullies.