The risk of avalanche remained moderate in mountains southeast of Prince George, according to the latest update for snowmobilers from Canadian Avalanche Centre.
As of Thursday afternoon, the rating stood for both the alpine and treeline levels for the Cariboo, Monashee and Selkirk ranges.
The bulletin remains valid until the end of Sunday.
Wind direction has changed from south to north, CAC forecaster Matt Peter said in the website posting, causing new "soft slabs" to form on south aspects while windslabs linger on north-facing slopes.
Weaknesses in the snowpack vary depending on the location, he added, and urged "local investigation into what's happening where you are riding."
Specific areas of concern include sheltered areas at treeline and, in the alpine, behind ridgelines, that catch the windblown snow.
"Remember that the wind direction has changed so we could see wind slabs in some unusual places," Peter said.
Thin snowpack areas around exposed rocks where weaknesses deeper in the snowpack could be triggered, and convex features, especially in the alpine that may have "windslabbing," are also spots to look out for.
He also reminded snowmobilers to wear avalanche beacon, switched on, and to carry a shovel and probe in a backpack not on the sled.
"An airbag may be useful as a supplementary device but should not replace these three essential pieces of rescue gear," he said. "To be effective when it matters, you must know how to use your gear."
Sunny and cold weather with light northerly winds, possible valley cloud, and an alpine temperature in the -15 C range is forecast for Friday. For Saturday, the expectation is thin clouds with an alpine temperatures of -10 C and northwest winds 30 to 40 km/h.
And for Sunday, it's mixed sun and cloud with continued moderate northwest winds and cold temperatures.
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