The West Kootenay snowpack is sitting well above normal levels for this time of year, but rapid temperature swings and repeated rain events are keeping avalanche forecasters cautious. “We are seeing a significant amount of snow, and we’re also seeing a lot of water being held in the snowpack. Those crusts, according to Wishlow, are generally helping keep the snowpack stable as they prevent deeper avalanche failures, creating what he said forecasters call a “right side up” snowpack. Wishlow said forecasters expect that hazard to drop temporarily as colder temperatures refreeze the surface. But the way the season’s going, I expect the highs and lows likely to continue.”Want to get your business noticed?