Jasper

Ski quality ranges from fabulous in sheltered locations to heinous in wind impacted spots. Wind and persistent slab problems can be difficult to assess, predict, and manage. Give yourself a wide margin for error and stick with conservative terrain choices.

Moderate

• We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Tuesday's Icefield patrol noted a widespread natural cycle 72 hours old, plus some 12-24 hour old size 2.5-3 in the Nigel area. Marmot Basin reported on March 9th explosive triggering size 2 , NE aspect, on a Treeline crossloaded terrain plus a natural size 2.5 in the nearby backcountry. On March 8th, two size 2.5 wind slab avalanches were observed in the Churchill range and one size 2.5 slab avalanche was observed near Pyramid.

Strong to extreme winds out of the S to N have created widespread wind-effect, scoured fetches, and formed wind slabs. A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets from January 24th is down 20-80 cm. There have been a number of natural avalanches that have failed on this layer in the past week. Below, the snowpack is generally well consolidated facets to ground. Icefields snow depths range from 130-200 cm and snow depth in the Maligne area ranges from 60-140 cm. 

Wednesday will bring flurries, 8 cm of snow, -13 °C, and light Southwest gusting 55 km/h winds. 14cm of snow is forecasted for Thursday with light to moderate West winds, and -16 to -10 °C. Friday and Saturday are expected to be cloudy, flurries, -23 to -13 °C, and light winds.

• Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.