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</style><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">The storm last weekend delivered 20 to 40 cm of snow that has settled out to about 30 cm of soft snow on the surface. At treeline the total height of snow is now between 100 and 140 cm. At 40 to 80 cm below the surface there is a persistent weak layer that was buried on November 21st. This weak layer consists of surface hoar (feathery crystals) in most places, but may present as a sun crust on steep south facing slopes. This layer has been reactive in snowpack tests this week. A MIN report from the Kootenay Pass area </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/7b449a3e-4c92-4714-8908-2520b352f364" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(link here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> and a social media post </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KootenayBackcountryGuides/videos/vb.1576889842619599/332746360841352/?type=2&amp;theater" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">(link here)</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> from the Whitewater area on Thursday show a concerning degree of reactivity at this layer. This surface hoar is thought to be widespread at treeline and it may be found in sheltered alpine features too. Another </span><a href="https://www.avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/4affe9f1-f621-4fca-8b53-c8a5e046e671" target="_blank"><span class="s_B5813F7D">recent MIN report</span></a><span class="s_3FE45715"> suggests that this layer was producing obvious signs of weakness at Kootenay Pass on Tuesday.</span></p><p class="p_CC664AAA"><span class="s_3FE45715">At the base of the snowpack is a thick melt-freeze crust that formed near the end of October. This crust has shown limited reactivity thus far, but observations are very limited.</span></p>