18-19

<p>Under clear skies, stability is improving across the advisory area. Riding in the Lionhead area yesterday I was pleasantly surprised by how well the snowpack has accommodated the huge load of snow that fell during the storm last week (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjFLcgmfLYc&amp;list=PLXu5151nmAvRNl9ku…;). The weak layers near the ground are gaining strength and instabilities in the new snow are settling out. Still, we can’t forget that it has only been four days since we last issued an avalanche warning. There are a variety of avalanche concerns which require continued vigilance as you travel through the mountains today.</p>

<p>Numerous large avalanches broke during last week’s storm across the whole advisory area. See our <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/avalanche-activity">avalanche activity page</a></strong> for a comprehensive list. Of particular note is that snow safety directors at Big Sky, Bridger Bowl and the Yellowstone Club each reported avalanches breaking as large as they have ever seen in particular paths, including a <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20262">large natural avalanche on the west side of Saddle Peak</a> in the backcountry near Bridger Bowl, a <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20247">large natural slide on Wilson Peak</a> near Big Sky, and an <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/20258">explosive triggered avalanche</a> by the Yellowstone Club ski patrol. If you find the wrong spot, you can still trigger one of these huge slides today. Slopes to avoid include those that got the biggest load (heavily wind loaded slopes) and those where you can most easily impact the weak layers (slopes with less than five feet of snow or variable snow depth) (<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0nc39kxm0A&amp;index=3&amp;list=PLXu51…;, <strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/large-natural-avalanche-wilson-pe…;).</p>

<p>Avalanches can also break 1-3’ deep in recently formed wind drifts. If the surface snow is stiff and cracking in front of your skis or sled, move to a lower angled slope, or one that hasn’t been wind affected.</p>

<p>Although it hasn’t felt like it during this cold snap, spring is upon us. Watch for the snow surface becoming wet on sunny slopes this afternoon. Loose snow avalanches (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/loose-snow-slides-hyalite">photo<…;) and cornice falls (<strong><a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/cornice-fall-hyalite">photo</a></…;) are both possibilities.</p>

<p>With a variety of concerns today, the avalanche danger is MODERATE.</p>

<p>If you get out and have any avalanche or snowpack observations to share, contact us via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation">website</a&gt;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com">mtavalanche@gmail.com</a&gt;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>