Forecasts vary for Saturday's snow and wind values (see weather summary). If more snow falls than expected, the local alpine hazard may increase to considerable.
There is still good skiing in sheltered areas.
Previous winds have created wind slabs in the alpine. and isolated treeline areas. Watch for these as you transition into wind-affected terrain and lee features. If more snow than expected falls, watch for new wind slab development locally.
The natural avalanche cycle on this layer has ended, but concern about human-triggered avalanches persists. Be wary of shallow areas, as this has been where recent large avalanches have started, going from thin to thick.
Lake Louise and Sunshine ski hills did some explosive control on Friday. They mainly got no result or size 1 wind slabs. Sunshine did get a remote size 2.5 to ground, which started 70m below where the explosion initiated. No other avalanches were reported in this region.
Previous winds have developed windslabs in lee alpine features. Surface snow has some surface hoar development, lingering suncrust on steep solar aspects, and 10-20cm settled snow in sheltered areas.
There is 40-80 cm over the Dec 15 melt-freeze crust (which is present to 1800-2000 m), 80-160 cm over the November facet/crust interfaces, and, in thinner snowpack areas, facets at the base.
Treeline snow depths range from 100-200+ cm.
Fri Night: Models vary, but in general 30-40kmh SW winds with no snow.
Saturday: 30-50kmh winds and trace to 10cm depending on the forecast. Treeline temps rising to -4C
Sunday: Moderate winds, trace to 5cm of snow, and treeline temps around -5C.
