There are dramatic differences in the snowpack between the Icefields and Whistler creek areas. Whistler area is significantly less supportive to skiers and is shallower. A large avalanche was skier triggered in that area on Feb 16.
Wind slabs are widespread through the region with new and previous loading in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns. Triggering a wind slab has the potential to activate the deep persistent slab.
Triggering could occur from shallow snowpack areas or from large loads such a cornice failure. The consequences of triggering would be severe!
Monday cloudy with isolated flurries, a little bit of snow, -10 C, and West winds 10-20 km/h. Tuesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, -18 to -10 C, and Southwest winds 15 km/h.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
Widespread hard slab on most surfaces treeline and above. Scouring has occurred on windward alpine slopes and wind pressed or wind slabs on lee aspects. Solar crusts on solar aspects up to 2500m now buried by 5cm new snow. The mid-pack is bridging the deep basal facets and depth hoar except in shallow and steep rocky areas.
No field patrol on Sunday. Maligne and Icefields patrol on Saturday noted nothing new. No new avalanches reported from field team in the Circus valley near Portal creek on Friday.
