Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
The ski quality has improved but the chance of triggering large loose dry avalanches has increased. We may see the danger increase over the next few days with warmer temps and increased winds.
Avalanche Problem 1: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
So far these are small in size as they are just forming, but most wind slabs formed will be lying over facets and may run far.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Summary
Human and explosive triggered avalanches observed in the last 48 hours including an out of bounds skier at Lake Louise. These avalanches arent yet large in size (1.5) but are running very far, and can drag someone down. Some new small (sz 1-1.5 ) windslabs have been triggered in immediate lees and exposed slopes in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
15-40cm of recent snow overlies a thick layer of facets formed earlier in Dec. Below this the Dec.15 layer of surface hoar (below 2100m) and hard surfaces or facets (depending on location) is down 30-50cm. Below is a generally supportive snow pack with multiple crusts, that is slowly weakening. Some alpine wind slab formation starting to happen.
Weather Forecast
Sunday will be another cold one but there is hope. Monday we will start to see temperatures moderate into the first week of the new year. Winds will be light to moderate turning Westerly and then increasing Monday night. No snow in the immediate forecast.
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The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated these sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. A heads up for big sluffs if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.