Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
The wind has gotten to high alpine areas, but good ski conditions can still be found in sheltered locations. The hazard will increase on Thursday if the freezing level forecasts come true.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Recent moderate to strong winds have created variable windslabs in exposed alpine areas along the divide. These are mostly stubborn, but because they are of variable stiffness, they are difficult to manage on skis
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Summary
Some small loose dry avalanches were observed in steep terrain triggered by wind on Mt Fairview. Additionally, a couple size two slabs were observed near the Pulpit area on the Icefields Parkway. These were on steep NE facing terrain and likely triggered by windloading and sluffing. .
Snowpack Summary
Above 2500m, the surface snow has been blown into windslabs in exposed areas. Below 2500m, 30 -50 cm of snow lies over the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts. Both of these now overly the Halloween crust/ facet layer that sits 30-50cm above the ground. This lower layer is a facet layer above 2500m and a crust below. Some surface hoar is forming below TL
Weather Forecast
A strong high pressure system is building in the region. Winds will ease to light from the NW on Wednesday. Temperatures are rising, and freezing levels are forecast to hit ~1500m on Wed, and 2000 - 2500m on Thursday and Friday. We may see an inversion set up towards the end of this period.
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Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but concern remains for human triggering on the weak snow on this layer. Previously, slab avalanches have been triggered above ~ 2400m where the Nov. 23rd crust fades out. Shallow alpine areas warrant caution.