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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Wind slabs exist in the upper snowpack on north to northeast aspects at treeline and above. Last weeks storm snow and moderate winds have also shaped unseasonably large cornices.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Around 80 cm of snow fell over the past week. This loads a surface hoar layer that was buried on November 28th. Although not widespread in the region, releases on this layer may be likely if you have it in your area. A bit deeper (near 100 cm down) another surface hoar layer that developed during mid-November may still exist. Recent testing around the Invermere area has proved this layer to be unreactive. This does not mean its unreactive throughout the region. Its important to dig down in your local riding area, and test these layers before you disregard them. </span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">Near the base of the snowpack is the early November crust. </span><a id='GoToAdded' href="http://www.fsavalanche.org/Encyclopedia/faceted_snow.htm" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">Facet</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> sit facets below it, or it may appear as a sandwich of crusts and facets. In some areas it may only now be primed for triggering with recent heavy loading. Observations have been limited; however, deep and destructive slides have been reported on this layer in a neighboring region.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_AA239A9B"> </span></p>