Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 17 – 18, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Good powder for skiing. Watch for localized slabs sitting over the Oct. 26 crust and facets. It is still possible to trigger large avalanches in more aggressive terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    This problem can be found up to 2800m mainly on shady aspects. We haven't seen much in the way of avy activity over the last few days, with the exception being some sobering explosive controlled avalanches at the ski hills (see avalanche table).

Weather Forecast

A NW flow at upper elevations will see temperatures plummet for Saturday morning (-20C along the divide). Winds will be mainly light increasing to moderate and no snow is expected. Sunday and Monday will see a warming trend (especially in the Foothills) but no significant precipitation in the forecast.

Snowpack Summary

25-40cm of recent snow with variable wind effect overlies a faceted snowpack 60-80 cm deep at treeline and up to 150cm on the Icefields. The Oct. 26 crust and facets sit roughly 30 cm above the ground up to 2800m on shady aspects, and above 2800m on solar aspects. This crust has been dormant recently, producing only hard results in field tests.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski hill had a couple of explosive triggered avalanches (size 2.5) that ran far, which failed on either the October crust or the facets on or near the ground. The explosives used were small, 1kg hand charges.

Confidence

Regions covered