Avalanche Forecast

Snowpack:

There is lots going on with regards to stability at this time of year. Currently within our snowpack we are finding wind slabs in isolated alpine areas along ridgelines and cross loaded features but these wind slabs are not that reactive and stubborn to trigger. Having said that, skiers should still be aware of this problem and be on guard for it as you travel. These slabs are mainly failing in the recent snow down 20-40cm. Two other big concerns now are also related to the time of year, spring. Cornices are large and looming over many features and since the heat, we have seen a few of them collapse triggering small slabs on underlying slopes. In addition to the small slabs the cornice debris in and of it self if a big hazard coming down the slope. Now is not the time to be near these ball caps and be aware that even as you start your tour in the early morning, these features as the tops of peaks may already be in the sun. The other concern is loose wet avalanches. Loose wet avalanches begin commonly with the heat, first starting on solar aspects. Thin rocky areas that are steep and south facing are places where the snowpack will be most susceptible to this problem. A small loose wet avalanche may ultimately, step down to a deeper weak layer in isothermal snow triggering a large avalanche. So be heads up. The best way to mitigate these problems is to start early and plan to be on north aspects where there still a winter snowpack. 

Avalanche Activity:

Avalanche activity has been limited the past few days to mainly loose dry avalanches in alpine areas. No new slab avalanche activity has been observed by new snow and could cover is keeping visibility limited.

Travel:

Down low, kinda rugged with the freeze thaw cycles. As you move into the alpine, north aspects will still have "good" skiing opportunities but anything that has been kissed by the sun will have a crust. 

The avalanche danger is variable and can range from Low to High. Travelling early in the day is recommended, as conditions can change rapidly in short periods of time due to daytime warming. Pay careful attention to the integrity of the surface crusts formed overnight and rising air temperatures during the day. Dry slab avalanche danger may also exist during spring snow storms. Field Observations for your area may be available at the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) Mountain Conditions Report Website: http://www.mountainconditions.com. More Spring Conditions Details - http://www.avalanche.ca/pages/static-page/spring-conditions

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More snow is forecast to fall over the weekend with 5-10cm of Saturday and another 5-10cm on Sunday. Monday we move back into a spring clearing trend. Freezing levels will remain around 2100m and temperatures in the -5C range. If the sun pokes through the clouds be aware of the strong influence it will have on stability. As slopes heat up, stability will decrease and the likelihood of avalanches will increase.