Date issued

Mar 31, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Valid until

Apr 1, 2018 - 4:00 PM

Prepared by

stephen holeczi

Great ski quality to be had, but check for instabilities in the upper snowpack before venturing into bigger terrain. Avalanche control on Mt. Stephen and Mt. Field tomorrow (Sunday), no activities on these peaks during that time.

Regular season
Sunday - April 1, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Monday - April 2, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Tuesday - April 3, 2018
Alpine

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Below Treeline

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

The new snow Friday arrived with strong SW winds but so far wind slabs haven't been observed to be widespread. Winds may go into the moderate range on Sunday with plenty of loose snow to push around. Watch locally for their formation.

Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs

What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?

Still some observations of avalanches reported today by Lake Louise ski hill on the March 15th sun crust now buried 30-50cm deep. Dig down to see if the crust exists and its bond to the snow above.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control East of the divide on Mts. Bourgeau and Whymper Saturday saw mixed results, with some size 2 wind slabs being triggered, but many bomb holes as well. Lake Louise ski hill was reporting 2 size 2 avalanches initiated with explosives that were on the March 15 sun crust. Recent cornice falls have produced the same sorts of results.

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of snow (50cm reported on Wapta!) on Friday with W winds have formed isolated wind slabs in lee features. The March 15 sun crust is down 30-50cm on solar aspects and has produced isolated activity over the past few days. The mid- pack and basal layers have been dormant for quite some time.

Weather Forecast

5 cm of snow is expected Sunday with S winds moving into the moderate range aloft. Winds will shift to the NE on Monday. Temperatures will stay cool on Sunday with little solar input.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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