Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 25 – 26, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Recent snow has improved the skiing dramatically, however there is a poor bond at the storm snow interface. Avoid larger features, and steeper terrain. There is lots of good riding on low angled terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Twenty to forty cms of recent storm snow is bonding poorly to previous surfaces and is reactive to skier triggering.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    A weak and facetted basal layer exists at the bottom of the snowpack. Smaller avalanches may step down to this weak facetted layer.

Weather Forecast

Christmas day will be cloudy with isolated flurries and an alpine temperature high of minus nine. Friday's forecast is for mixed sun and cloud, and light winds. Only flurries forecasted for the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline between 10 and 30 cm of snow has fallen since Tues, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in Yoho Park. The new snow overlays the Dec 18 layer which consists of crust, facets and/or surface hoar depending on location. A poor bond exists on this storm snow interface.

Avalanche Summary

In Yoho backcountry several avalanches up to Class 2.5 (with propagations up to 200 m) were observed running in recent storm snow. Lake Louise ski hill reported several natural and skier controlled avalanches running in the storm snow.

Confidence

Regions covered