We are in the wake of a major avalanche cycle. Avalanche activity has slowed, yet the potential for large avalanches still exists.
Skiing and riding conditions are excellent but current conditions demand caution. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; slopes that have not already slid should be regarded as prime for triggering.
Soft snow is available for building wind slabs. Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
The March 20 crust is buried 20-60cm and producing sudden planar results in tests. The Jan 24 facets are 80 to 120cm deep and were active in the recent cycle.
Dig to investigate how these layers are adjusting to the new load. Slopes that have not released naturally should be treated with caution.
In the past week, an avalanche cycle has occurred with many natural and artificially triggered avalanches in the size 3 and 4 range.
On a flight Friday, Parks Canada staff observed a natural size three persistent slab from a Lectern sub-peak which ran full path, as well as a size two cornice fall in the Churchill range.
The Icefields Parkway has received up to 120 cm of new snow since March 15th. Maligne received 30-50 cm. Below this soft snow, exists a temperature and rain crust formed during the March atmospheric river. This crust can be found from valley bottom up to 2300 m. A weak layer of facets and temperature crust is buried 70-170 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 150-220 cm, and Maligne is 80-140 cm.
Saturday
A weak southwesterly flow continues into the weekend, bringing light flurries, a mix of sun and cloud, and gradually rising temperatures up to -5 in the alpine.
SundayCloudy with flurries adding up to 5cm of new snow. Light to moderate winds and -8 in the alpine.
MondayFlurries with sunny periods. Light winds and -10 in the alpine.
