Heavy Snow Warning: Otari ski fields have seen an accumulated 150cms over the past 72 hours.
Continued heavy snow fall is adding load to the recent storm snow that has started to slab and release from the buried sun crust of January 22nd on southern exposures. Loose slides are releasing on all aspects due to weak bonds with in the new snow. Take due caution travelling in avalanche terrain and in …gullies where loose slides and sluff can accumulate to create deep burials. There are still a lot of creeks that have open holes that are definite hazards and terrain traps. Take care to avoid these areas or be on the look out for these holes.
Do not underestimate how rapidly the avalanche hazard will increase with continued rapid snowfall and increased winds.
Use your head and carry all the proper safety and rescue gear if you are heading into off piste areas. Stay to well supported and simple terrain to reduce hazard. Travel in Backcountry areas not recommended until conditions and recent storm snow settles.
ALPINE ZONE: HIGH HAZARD !! Stronger winds, colder temperatures and greater snow fall will all attribute to very unstable conditions. Watch out for avalanches from ALPINE ZONES travelling to the valley and into TREELINE and BELOW TREELINE ZONES.
TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE HAZARD !
BELOW TREELINE: CONSIDERABLE HAZARD !