Avalanche Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear with cloudy periods, trace of new snow, light to moderate northwest wind, temperature low -15 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, trace of new snow, light northwest wind, temperature high -9 C.

THURSDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods, light westerly wind, temperature high -8 C.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy, trace of new snow, moderate southwest wind, temperature high -6 C.

Several wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were triggered by skiers and released naturally at treeline and in the alpine on Monday. A couple human triggered avalanches were reported north of Crowsnest Pass. The avalanches were triggered on east aspects on gentle slopes in the alpine and at the treeline/alpine interface (see this MIN report). The failure plane of these avalanches is likely the late January persistent weak layer consisting of surface hoar, sugary facets or a crust/facet combination. 

Several skier triggered wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on Sunday on usually and reverse loaded terrain features. Older natural avalanche activity of up to size 3 was reported as well on Sunday dating back a couple days. Reports on whumpfing and cracking of the upper snowpack were varied. Some parties experienced whumpfs and cracks (see this MIN report) whereas others didn't (see this MIN report).

A skier accidentally triggered a size 1.5 wind slab in a reverse loaded feature on the Alberta side of the region on Saturday.

The snow surface is wind affected, especially in the alpine and open areas at treeline. Cold temperatures promote faceting of the snow surface. A persistent weak layer lurks 40-65 cm below the surface. In some places it consists of surface hoar, in other places just facets, or crust/facet combinations. Reports suggest the surface hoar interface at treeline in the Elk Valley is the biggest repeat offender, and things have been most reactive on northerly and easterly aspects, but don't let your guard down elsewhere. 

A solid mid-pack sits above deeply buried decomposing crust and facet layers near the bottom of the snowpack. Though unreactive under the current conditions, steep rocky slopes and shallow snowpacks should still be approached with caution.

• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.