Welcome to Episode 6 of the Avalanche Conditions Report with Jason, from Whitewater Ski Resort. Currently, Avalanche Canada is rating the hazard as moderate at all elevations. This is consistent with what we are seeing in the backcountry at Whitewater.
  Generally, avalanche activity has been limited but there have been some reported reactivity to skier and rider traffic on the January 31 persistent weak layer buried down 30-60cm in our area. This layer is composed of surface hoar on sheltered cold aspects and a melt freeze crust on solar aspects. Additionally, there is a secondary layer of surface hoar down 20cm in our region. Currently, neither of these layers have sufficient slab density sitting over them to create enough load to see how they will react, but this is about to change.

We are set to experience a significant storm over the weekend and into early next week. Storm totals are forecast in the 50-70mm range with moderate to strong winds and rising freezing levels. This will increase the hazard significantly. It will be a good time to stay out of avalanche terrain until we see how this layer reacts with the increasing hazard.

We'll be back with Episode 7 and be sure to always check Avalanche Canada before heading into the backcountry!