Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Alpine windslabs are the main concern right now. Triggering will be difficult, but if it happens expect a large avalanche.
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 has created wind slabs.
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large triggers are still a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Summary
Nothing new today.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack doesn't start to become interesting until treeline. Once a month we go to Burstall Pass and dig a profile in a specific area. Today was that day. What we found was a stroll down memory lane. The early season crusts are still there, but they've been pushed to the ground. The problematic Dec 15 layer is down about a meter and seemingly stabilizing. Both of our surface hoar layers are still there, but same thing. No results in any sort of snow test. It's hard to say, but mid-pack layers are getting along much better these days. It's worth noting that the alpine is wind ravaged. Windslabs are pretty much everywhere, and the skiing looks challenging. But, sheltered treeline areas have decent snow. The cold has helped the surface layers facet out and soften.
Weather Forecast
It will remain chilly for another day... Tomorrow's high temp will be -17C. Winds will increase to 45km/hr and be out of the west. No snow.
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The extended cold has just begun to break these slabs down. At treeline, many slabs have begun to fade away, but the alpine still looks heavily wind affected.