Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
A bit of new snow has freshened up the skiing.
Lots of variability exists in the snowpack at the moment depending on aspect, elevation and exposure to previous winds.
Investigate each slope before committing.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On March 4 there were several new avalanches in the park including:
A size 2 persistent slab avalanche on Mount Wilson. A size 2.5 persistent slab on Mount Cirrus and a size 1.5 Deep Persistent slab on Mushroom Peak.
The local ski hill also had explosive control results on the deep persistent layer up to size 2.5.
Snowpack Summary
The Icefields received up to 10 cm of new snow on Sunday night that now sits on a sun crust on solar aspects to mountaintop. The upper 50 cm of the snowpack has two persistent weak layers mostly comprised of facets but in some areas surface hoar, crusts and old wind slabs can also be found. Lots of variability exists in the upper snowpack depending on the slope. The bottom of the snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15-25 km/h.
Saturday
Cloudy with scattered flurries.
Accumulation: 4 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -6 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20-40 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
There are two Persistent layers in the upper 50cm of the snowpack both consisting of weak facets. There were numerous avalanches up to size 2.5 during the warm up this past weekend on these layers. Natural avalanches are less likely with the cooler temps but human triggering remains possible.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanche activity on this layer was reported by the local ski hill in the surrounding backcountry on Friday. The large depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains inherently weak. Be careful in shallow rocky areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3