Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 8th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Evaluate November Crust carefully prior to committing to bigger slopes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The cold weather is expected to continue with a few flurries over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

There is 30-70 cm of settled snow overtop of the November 12 crust. Stability tests on this crust are mixed, ranging from no results to easy results. Recent avalanche activity suggest this crust is more reactive in the Lake Louise area on southerly aspects at tree-line and above elevations. Small wind slabs only found in isolated areas in alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Of note is a skier triggered avalanche in the Lake Louise side-country on Tuesday. This was on a southerly aspect and ran on the November crust. A fresh size 2 avalanche was also noted running on top of the raincrust, on south facing terrain north of Observation Peak.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The dominant issue in the snowpack is the November 12 crust (down 30-70 cm). This crust is evident throughout the region and has started to become reactive on south aspects.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 9th, 2016 4:00PM