EXTREME AVALANCHE DANGER in the ALPINE ZONE and at TREE LINE:
HIGH DANGER BELOW TREE LINE and in OFF PISTE AREAS at the resorts.
To all fellow skiers, snowboarders, telemarketers and everyone enjoying the powder. Please be careful but have fun!!
Avoid all avalanche terrain. Natural and human triggered avalanches certain. Large to very large avalanches expected in many areas and Slab avalanches in the Alpine will come with great size and consequence.
Heavy snow fall and extreme winds at all elevations have put rapid load on the already weak upper snowpack.
Enjoy in bounds riding or well supported‚ simple terrain below treeline. Always ride with a beacon and a buddy that knows how to use one! Make route planes and inform someone of your plans. If you are unsure stay in bounds on the great powder on the Resort.
Extreme winds and continued snow fall have put rapid load on an already very unstable past surface snow and under laying melt crust. Expect Natural and Human triggered avalanches on all aspects at Tree Line and above. If you are riding at resorts remember also that off piste areas will also be avalanche prone and that avalanches will be fast to run over the underlying crust and it will be difficult to get your edge in to stop or ride off to the side of the slide due also to that same solid Ice Crust. Terrain traps in off piste areas like trees, cliffs, gullies and creeks will increase hazard and potential burial depths.
Enjoy the powder on the runs at low elevation at the resorts and wait for snow fall to stop and for the storm snow to settle before heading in to the Backcountry or side country.