February 18, 2014

   Avalanche near Mount Fort, Switzerland kills Swedish skier, more in article below.

    Bring on the snow!!!

    Great skiing right to the valley yesterday morning.

    If you showed up at 08:30 hours it was a 45 minute lineup at the Wizard Chair, Monday Feb. 17Th.

Have been using a pair of Volkl Nunataq Skis with Marker Tour F12 EPF Touring bindings, with the integrated skin system. Very impressed with all these products. Skis are great in the powder and cut up snow, very easy to butter the turns in the trees. Skins and skis work very well together, easy to apply and take off, have also been skiing in bounds with these skis and so far they are a delight. 

   Graupel, stellars and rimed stellars  where the product of the convective flurries yesterday.

    A size 2 on High Test February 17, 2014. Xe Xl and Sc produced mostly size 1 avalanches

    Great turns to be had in the Shooting Gallery yesterday. Constant settlement in the trees.

    A few breaks near the end of the day Monday.


Weather observations for February 18, 2014; taken at 06:00 Hrs.

2240 meters     -11, Winds were 30-50 KPH from the S
2180 meters     -10, Winds were 40-60 KPH from the S
1860 meters       -9, Winds were 20-35 KPH from the S
1835 meters       -9, Winds were 15-35 KPH from the S
1650 meters       -6, 8 cm of new snow, Base 215 cm
1550 meters       -6, 5 cm of new snow, Base 166 cm
  660 meters        0, Valley Temp, 2.8 mm of precip yesterday

The next strong frontal wave is approaching us for the morning. Expect heavy snow and strong winds for the am with a strong Westerly flow aloft, should ease off slightly for the afternoon.  Another weak front will move into the zone for late Wednesday into Thursday with more snow for our area. The very active weather pattern we have been experiencing will give way to a weak upper ridge for the coming weekend, unsettled weather with light snow looks plausible. Guesstimates: 15-18 cm by Wednesday morning, 10-15 cm by Thursday morning, 2-4 cm by Friday morning. Freezing level may rise to about 800 meters this morning than dropping to valley for tonight and Wednesday.

    GFS model is looking favourable for 15-8 cm for today.

    Convective clouds were adding tom the height of snow, 2 cm by 14:00 Hrs yesterday.

    Next wave will arrive Tuesday morning.


Update on Idaho Avalanche Death: Ketchum, Idaho

Avalanche Death in Waterton Lakes National Park: Alberta

Experts warn of "Historic Cycle" of snow slides: Colorado

Pieps DSP Review: Outdoor Gear Lab

Record snow in Japan has killed 19 people and wreaked havoc on Transportation: Avalanche Warning

Heavy snow boosts Mt Washington; avalanche risk closes backside: Closed last week

Swedish Skier, 21, dies in avalanche near Mont Fort: Nendaz, Switzerland

Four individuals survive avalanche: Snowmobiling in Montana

    Size 1 Sc on Peter's Plunge Monday February 17, 2014.

    There were some great power flurries and nice light yesterday.

    Avalanche control in the morning was performed fairly quickly, everyone was enjoying the pow.

    Tension crack in the snow, sluff below tree line, South Side Deli had 4 customers early Monday am.

    If you see these signs in the trees make sure you take heed.