Public observation - Skooks Chutes, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public observation - Skooks Chutes, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Sun, 12/04/2016 - 12:30
Location Map: 


Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path

Observation made by: Public
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Dry
Slope: 
35degrees
Trigger type: 
Skier
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Aspect: 
Southwest
Weak Layer: 
Other - explain below
Avalanche Width: 
50ft.
Elevation: 
6 000ft.
Bed Surface: 
Storm Snow
Avalanche Length: 
700ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

My two partners and I skinned up to the top of the Skook Chutes and dropped into one of them around 12:30 pm.   We witnessed snow being blown up and out of the chute before dropping in, but it was likely that the slope was being cross-loaded as well.  The first skier dropped in and triggered a slide that was about 8-12" deep on top of the rain crust from Friday night.  He skied out of the moving snow and let it flush down the path; the three of us then skied mostly on the bed surface for the entirety of the chute.  This slide seemed to have a considerable amount of energy and propogated out on both the right and left sides of the skier.

Avalanche Photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Activity: 
Skiing