I hope this finds Everyone having a pleasant start to February.
I spent the past couple of days moving through a mix of alpine and treeline terrain in two different drainages called the Rutherford Valley and the Ryan River Valley - north of Whistler, and noted the following:
The strength and consistency of the alpine winds, these past few days, is the most noteworthy comment. Strong to very strong southerly winds have been moving snow onto north aspects and creating thick slabs of snow in avalanche start zones. These 'start zones' (where a trigger like a skier or a falling cornice is more likely to initiate an avalanche) include steeper slopes, bulging slopes, or slopes that have been concentrating the snow-driven snow (like gullies, or confined and concentrated terrain). Since the winds have been strong and moving snow lower onto these north-facing parcels of terrain, it is important to consider that a person can still trigger an avalanche lower down in the terrain if you were in the wrong place.
Currently, the best skiing is in sheltered north-facing terrain where the winds have not affected the snow surface. There is a weaker layer now buried up to 55cm from the snow surface in treeline areas. This layer appears differently depending upon your aspect (north, east, south, or west) and your regional location.... but it is there. I tested this layer and it showed that if the layer were triggered that it could easily spread across and affect an entire slope. Because of this, it is important to - again, consider the terrain you might find yourself moving through. Think of the 'scale' of the terrain and choose smaller slopes without steep rolls on it and slopes without consequence. And, please avoid exposure to that wind-affected alpine terrain (or any wind affected terrain) that may be hanging directly above you........
That lingering layer of sugary snow, buried in December, still lives deeply in the snowpack (and not so deeply in certain places) and is still a real consideration. Keep thinking about avoiding shallow-rocky-steep areas..........
Best regards,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
ACMG Member
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