Avalanche Forecast
Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks
Look to sheltered areas for good skiing. Forecasters continue to approach large Alpine terrain with some caution.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Evaluate unsupported slopes critically.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Large triggers are a concern. It's safe to say we're in the "low probability/high consequence" situation. Avoid thin areas.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problem 3: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Weak surface facets from the prolonged cold period are found in sheltered northerly aspects at lower elevations. In steep terrain it is possible to trigger small sluffs that could have consequences in terrain traps or above cliffs.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
- Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Summary
An extensive flight through the region today revealed no new avalanche activity.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 8cm of new snow in the past 24hrs at Treeline. Widespread wind effect in Alpine and Treeline areas, with highly variable wind directions. Surface snow has been facetting on sheltered northerly aspects Below Treeline, and has been reactive to ski cutting in steep terrain in recent days. Several snow profiles today across the region indicate a well settled and dense midpack. The persistent weak layers from Jan 18, Jan 6 and Dec 15 are still evident in the snowpack but there were no test results from compression tests on these layers today.
Weather Forecast
Wednesday will bring a mix of sun and cloud and no new snow. Alpine temperatures should reach a high of -12 °C with winds from the SW at 25 km/h. Thursday and Friday could see some light flurries with accumulations between 5 and 10 cm.
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Wind slabs continue to dominate the Alpine and Treeline elevation bands. Human-triggering is more likely in shallow snowpack areas and where thin wind slabs have formed at ridgecrest.