Jasper

Keep the deep persistent weak layer in mind, particularly in areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and layers lower down in the snowpack can be triggered more easily.

Windslabs are present in alpine and exposed treeline areas. Sheltered areas will be the best place to find good conditions for skiing and riding.

Moderate

• Uncertainty is due to the fact that deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.
• Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

One natural size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche has been observed on a North aspect in the Alpine in the North end of the Maligne valley.

Along the Icefields parkway several natural loose avalanches have been observed in surface snow at tree line and below tree line, as well as one size 2 deep persistent slab avalanche on Parker ridge triggered by natural cornice failure.

Winds have redistributed snow into windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. Basal facets and an early season melt freeze crust are located ~30cm off of the ground and remain active as a weak layer in the snowpack.

Average snow depth in the Icefields Parkway area is 125-175cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 75cm.

Saturday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 12 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -2 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level: 1900 metres.

Flurries.

Accumulation: 10 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -4 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Flurries.

Accumulation: 8 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -6 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

• Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.