Heavy snowfall elevates avalanche danger

The Flathead Avalanche Center has raised the avalanche risk level in the wake of this week’s snowstorm.

The center on Wednesday rated avalanche danger as “considerable” above 3,500 feet in the Whitefish, Swan and Flathead ranges, and in Glacier National Park.

Up to 3 feet of snowfall accumulated in the high mountains over the last three days, added to in some areas by wind loading. The center warned that the new snowfall formed thick slabs over older, weaker snow layers, giving many the potential to break off.

Widespread natural avalanche activity was observed Monday and Tuesday, said Zach Guy, the avalanche center’s director. One natural slide ran across the Canyon Creek road, a popular area for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers just beyond the Whitefish Mountain Resort boundary.

Avalanche mitigation work at Whitefish Mountain Resort yielded widespread results, as well.

“Without doubt, we experienced an impressive natural avalanche cycle in our backcountry,” Guy wrote in the Wednesday avalanche forecast.

While natural avalanche activity is winding down, Guy still urges all backcountry travelers to use extreme caution.

“The layers lurking below this week’s storm snow will not heal quickly and human-triggering on paths that did not flush will remain a serious concern for some time,” he warned.

Guy advised “conservative decision-making” in these conditions, saying that backcountry travelers should avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees and the area below them.

“The easiest way to avoid an avalanche ... is simply to avoid avalanche terrain,” he said.

Guy recommends checking the avalanche center’s forecast, carrying a beacon, shovel, or probe, and traveling with a partner.

For more information, visit www.flatheadavalanche.org, or call the advisory hotline at 257-8402.