Waterton Lakes

Strong West winds have stripped many areas of snow and left windslabs in many others. Early season hazards remain with careful route route selection and conservative travel necessary if venturing off of the trails especially at lower elevations.

We are emerging from a very cold and windy period. Until we receive small amounts of new snow this weekend there remains very little snow left for the wind to transport. The increasing temperatures are the most important factor for travelers to consider right now.  Although slabs are settling, slab strength be lowest during temperature peaks.

Little Prairie: 63cm snow. Summit Lake: 120 cm. Strong winds since 1208 have scoured Western slopes and created windslabs. The facet and melt freeze crust interface below these slabs is likely gaining strength however triggering these slabs will remain a possibility as temperatures continue to rise.

In the last 3 days in the Park, a few windslabs failed during periods of intense loading near ridgelines and in open gully features at or below treeline. In nearby areas there have been reports of both controlled and accidental avalanches involving windslabs in similar terrain.