Complex conditions have curtailed the terrain where you can ride with confidence that slopes won't slide. The culprits are slabs of drifted snow in unusual spots, and a weak layer buried 1 to 3 feet deep. While we don't have direct evidence this layer lurks in the Whitefish and Swan Ranges, it's a clear danger nearby. Fortunately, cold weather is preserving good riding conditions on moderately-angled sunny slopes. Stick to these and avoid riding on or under steep, shady slopes. 

Sheltered, mid elevation slopes less than about 35 degrees are the least risky choices for enjoying today's fresh powder. As you climb into upper elevations or onto steeper slopes, conditions become more complex and more dangerous. Winds from multiple directions have thickened and stiffened slabs, and old, weak snow buried a week ago makes triggering large slides likely on steep slopes. Choose conservative objectives and find other terrain if you feel collapses or see recent avalanches.  

Sheltered, mid elevation slopes less than about 35 degrees are the least risky choices for enjoying today's fresh powder. As you climb into upper elevations or onto steeper slopes, conditions become more complex and more dangerous. Winds from multiple directions have thickened and stiffened slabs, and old, weak snow buried a week ago makes triggering large slides likely on steep slopes. Choose conservative objectives and find other terrain if you feel collapses or see recent avalanches.  

On steep slopes, you can trigger avalanches of new and drifted snow that break one to two feet deep. Stay on the lookout for shooting cracks, whumpfing collapses, and recent avalanches. Stick to lower angled, sheltered slopes to minimize your exposure to these hazards. If snow accumulations exceed forecasts, the danger may spike to Considerable later this afternoon.

Wind loading continues up high, and wet avalanche hazards will redevelop below today's rain line.  The danger is MODERATE through the day but will rise towards CONSIDERABLE this evening as a hard-hitting snow storm arrives.  Pay attention to changing conditions this afternoon.  

Wind loading continues up high, and wet avalanche hazards will redevelop below today's rain line.  The danger is MODERATE through the day but will rise towards CONSIDERABLE this evening as a hard-hitting snow storm arrives.  Pay attention to changing conditions this afternoon.  

A handful of natural and triggered wind slabs ran yesterday.  Continued snow and winds last night will keep the hazard elevated on higher elevation, wind loaded terrain.  Watch for wet sluffs where the snow is gloppy and pinwheeling.  

Enjoy generally stable avalanche conditions. Watch for storm snow instabilities today and be cautious around the leeward side of ridges where winds built thicker slabs. Avoid fresh wind slabs by sticking to wind sheltered terrain and manage loose snow avalanche hazards, especially near terrain traps.  

Watch for storm snow instabilities today and be extra cautious around the leeward side of ridges where winds built thicker slabs. Avoid fresh wind slabs by sticking to wind sheltered terrain and manage loose snow avalanche hazards, especially near terrain traps.  

Enjoy mostly stable avalanche conditions today. Steer around recently formed wind slabs below leeward ridgelines. If we receive more snow than forecast, expect to see small loose dry sluffs in wind-protected areas. Though I expect both of these problems not to be large enough to bury you, they can be consequential if they knock you off your feet above a terrain trap.

Fresh wind slabs will likely develop in leeward, alpine terrain. Loose wet avalanches are possible on very steep slopes where the surface thaws by this afternoon. Triggering avalanches is more likely where the most new snow fell yesterday. Watch for blowing snow up high and rollerballs down low as signs of increasing instability.

Fresh wind slabs will likely develop in leeward, alpine terrain. Loose wet avalanches are possible on very steep slopes where the surface thaws by this afternoon. Triggering avalanches is more likely where the most new snow fell yesterday. Watch for blowing snow up high and rollerballs down low as signs of increasing instability.

Enjoy mostly stable conditions today. The exceptions will be wind slabs in steep alpine terrain or sluffing where the surface snow is loose. The problems are easily avoidable. The risk you undertake correlates to your terrain choices. Steeper, unsupported slopes with terrain traps below will expose you to the biggest hazards.

While conditions are generally stable, it's worth reading the fine print for the exceptions: isolated wind slabs at upper elevations. Look for and avoid these pockets, which can have exaggerated consequences in steep terrain.