Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
Conditions are quite good for this time of year - ice climbs are in and the ski coverage is not too bad (but thin). Ice climbers should watch out for small avalanches in gully areas above treeline. There is debris in some of the gullies already.
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 fresh slabs.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Avalanche Summary
The ski resorts are reporting numerous wind slabs in the alpine - average depths are 20-30 cm by 20 meters wide. Small, but enough to knock you off your feet in a precarious spot.
Snowpack Summary
The alpine snowpack ranges from 50-80 cm across the region. The surface snow is wind effected with soft snow only in sheltered areas. 25 cm of snow overlies a temperature crust formed on Halloween. The snowpack is generally quite strong for the early season, but is becoming weaker from facetting and the next storm will produce avalanches.
Weather Forecast
A strong SW flow across BC is dissipating over the Continental Divide but could see up to 10 cm in the area by Thursday with temperatures remaining moderate (-5 to -10) range. The weekend looks dry.
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Recent new snow and wind are making wind slabs more active. Watch for them in lee areas.