24-25

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Over the last month small storms have grown the snow depth to 10-18” at mountain weather stations (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/weather/wx-avalanche-log"><span><span><span… log</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). After snowfall a week ago there were skier triggered and natural avalanches (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity"><span><span><span><stro… activity</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Many of these avalanches were on wind-loaded slopes and broke at the base of the shallow snowpack (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/24/old-avalanche-crown"><span><span>… from northern Bridger crown</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). Additionally, multiple skiers reported finding weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack in Hyalite, near Big Sky and the Bridger Range (</span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/snow-observations-list"><span><span><span><… page</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>). The shallow snowpack changes a lot from day to day, but the avalanches and observations from last week are evidence that it is time to be prepared. Carefully assess the terrain and snowpack for avalanche potential, and carry the proper gear (beacon, shovel, probe).</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Avalanches are most likely where recent snow has drifted into thicker slabs. On steeper slopes this coincides with the best place to ski or ride because the deeper snowpack provides better coverage of rocks and hazards. Mark describes this early season dilemma in his recent video from </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA02PeWkO6g&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… Lake</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, and advises to give the snow time after the snow falls and wind blows. If you see evidence of recent wind-loading, be patient and ride lower angle or non-wind loaded slopes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The early season snowpack will be the foundation for future storms and is constantly changing. In Mark’s videos from the </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W99OEptQWy8&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… Range</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGXaUwH-XSA&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvToI_ir… Park</span></span></u></span></strong></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> last weekend, he shows that the snow has become weak from cold temperatures and clear nights. This could lead to fresh drifts being easier to trigger.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>If you intend to ride or cross steep slopes, watch for signs of instability such as recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks and collapsing. If obvious signs are absent, dig a quick snowpit to assess for instability.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>