Skiing conditions continue to be excellent based out of
Valhalla Mountain Touring in the northern Valhallas with an average snowpack depth of around 180cms at treeline. We are now coming out of a period of good stability with a very strong/well settled mid snowpack. However, the 15-20cms of new snow in the last 3 days has now buried 2 major layers of concern in this region. The days of high pressure created a sun crust/facet/surface hoar layer that was buried on Jan 4 wit 10cms of new snow, and then by the morning of the 5th a new surface hoar layer from 5-10mm was created on all aspects and elevations skied that day, from 1700-2350m. When it started snowing yesterday by noon, it was calm and seemed to bury the new surface hoar quite well. 10-15cms of new snow with a little wind already accumulated by this AM. So now with lots of precip in the forecast a big heads up that the good times of the CAA low, low low danger rating are already over! Stay safe out there the next few days.
Evan Stevens
Mountain Guide