Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
While conditions are generally good, there are still some terrain features that warrant caution or avoidance. Mainly steep southerly aspects in the alpine. Additionally, it is the time of year to start early and finish early to beat daytime heating.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
On steep solar terrain the recent storm snow (20-30cm) is sitting on a firm crust. The public has interacted with this 'problem' a couple of times in the last 24 hours. Avoid steep solar slopes in the alpine, especially late in the day.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Summary
A size 1 avalanche was observed in Unity Bowl near the Lake Louise Ski area today. It was located on a NE aspect at 2500m. Also, yesterday there was a skier accidental size 2.5 on Observation Sub Peak. A group of 3 were descending a steep rocky South aspect when 1 skier triggered the slide and went for a long ride. The party self evacuated.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of recent snow has formed a variable soft slab on some features that is slowly bonding to the underlying surfaces, such as melt freeze crust on solar aspects and older snow layers including facets on shady aspects. Below this the majority of the snowpack is stable and has recently shown no results in tests.
Weather Forecast
Cool temps will remain tomorrow, -1 in the valley and -10 at ridge level. Cloud is expected to return with light accumulations of snow, up to 5cm. The wind is expected to increase to up to 50km an hour at ridge elevation, from the SW.
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This problem has transitioned from Storm Slabs. Recent wind from the NW has been redistributing the storm snow into immediate lee areas in the alpine. The slabs should be visible on the surface as well as being able to feel them with your skis.