The snowpack is slowly stabilizing after the big avalanche cycle, but danger remains elevated as we sort out how the new load has changed the Avalanche Problems in this region. We are suspicious of a layer of facets down 40-60 cm that is reactive at treeline and above, and are monitoring this situation closely.
20-40cm of recent snow, with sustained and continued moderate to strong winds, has formed widespread slabs at ridgetop and below. In less wind affected areas the storm snow will behave more like a storm slab until it has a chance to settle.
Sunday's report of a large avalanche near Lake Louise (Hidden Bowl) suggests a persistent slab has become active in this region. It occurred on a SE aspect, so it may have failed on a crust. This is a significant red flag in an area where we have not yet seen many (any) persistent slab avalanches.
Sunshine Village reported an out-of-bounds size 2 skier accidental at treeline on a west aspect at 2150 m, where a skier triggered a glade 30 m wide that was 70-100cm deep on facets.
Our field team did a road patrol up Hwy 93 N and reported the following avalanche observations.
On Sunday, a large natural avalanche was reported in Hidden Bowl just outside the Lake Louise ski area (estimated 800 m wide). We suspect this happened on Saturday. See the image below.
A complex snowpack is emerging in the wake of the recent storm, but a common theme is a 40-60 cm slab in this region. We are concerned that this slab bonds poorly to a layer of facets on a crust formed Jan 24. The distribution of this layer (its location) is hard to nail down, and for now we are concerned about all steep terrain at treeline and higher, especially SE through W aspects, until we learn more about this situation.
Tuesday will remain windy, as a minor system crosses the area Tuesday night, bringing 10-15 cm of snow to areas north of Lake Louise. By Wednesday morning, the storm shall pass, and the winds will become light.
