Welcome to Episode 5 of the 2024/2025 Avalanche Conditions Report with Jason from Whitewater Ski Resort. It's February 6, 2025 and Avalanche Canada is currently rating the danger as 3 in the alpine, 3 at treeline, and 2 below treeline..

A persistent weak layer, around 50-60cm deep has been buried by recent storm snow. This weak layer is composed of hoar frost and sun crust on solar aspects, created during the previous high-pressure system.
  While not mentioned in the regional AvCan report, the team has found reactive wind slabs, caused by moderate easterly and southeasterly winds from Monday and Tuesday. These winds scoured Ymir Bowl’s upper slopes and redistributed snow into atypical lee slopes, creating an unusual wind loading pattern compared to that of the region's usual southwest winds.

A high-pressure system is moving in, with minimal snowfall expected until at least late next week. Be cautious in exposed areas of Whitewater where reactive wind slabs have formed.

We'll be back with Episode 6 and be sure to always check Avalanche Canada before heading into the backcountry!