Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2024 1:15PM

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

Avalanche Canada Mikey, Avalanche Canada

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The best skiing can be found in sheltered areas at higher elevations.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No field teams today. No new avalanches reported.

Snowpack Summary

We are still seeing little to no wind affect at most elevations. The one exception would be high alpine ridges(2500m+) where isolated slabs may exist in the immediate lee. At treeline and low alpine elevations, there's 20-25cm's of nice, faceted snow resting on top of the Feb crust. The crust itself is generally supportive, but in the odd place at treeline, it's breakable and sometimes challenging to ski. From an avalanche perspective, the crust isn't posing a problem other than allowing the surface snow to sluff in very steep terrain. There's a thin film of a crust on steep sunny slopes that was formed by the clear weather over this past weekend. If the sun comes out, expect some moist snow to form on solar aspects.

Weather Summary

Wednesday will be a mixed bag of sun, cloud and isolated flurries for maybe a total of 2cm of snow. Temperatures in the alpine are expected to reach a high of -4c and winds will be moderate from the West.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

This problem is limited to immediate lee features, gullies that have been cross loaded areas and immediately below large cliffs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Be cautious for this layer in high alpine terrain. Thinner snowpack areas will be the places that this may be an issue.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2024 4:00PM