The conditions and field reports suggest growing confidence in the snowpack. However, more snow and ridgetop loading mean the hazard will rise—choose terrain carefully, reduce exposure, travel responsibly, and keep objectives simple—inattention may have significant consequences.
Ongoing moderate to strong transport redistributing new snow from the past week, resulting in significant loading (and reloading) of lee features across a range of aspects.
December 19th avalanche control along Icefields Parkway produced very large, destructive, deep persistent slab avalanches. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.
Weather station maintenance flight today showed widespread avalanche cycle across the bulletin region at all elevations. Many prone slopes appeared to cycle early in the storm and have since reloaded.
About 100 cm of new snow this week, more up high, with some wind slab forming in lees. Snow depths range from 140–200 cm in Parker’s; 110 cm in Maligne. The snowpack looks and feels strong, with a supportive mid-pack. No major weak layers found in field tests, and reports suggest growing confidence. However, new snow, wind loading, and a strong temperature gradient mean the hazard will rise—choose terrain carefully, reduce exposure, and travel responsibly.
Overnight: Mainly cloudy. No precipitation. Low -12 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.
Wednesday: Periods of snow, 16 cm. High -2 °C. Ridge wind south: 15 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.
Thursday: Cloudy with scattered flurries. 4 cm. Low -11 °C, High -5 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 75 km/h.
