Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to rider-triggering. Avoid wind-loaded areas where the snow feels stiff or slabby.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapSouth Rockies
Dec 22 – 23, 2024Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 2 years ago
Avalanche danger
Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes. Recently formed wind slabs may remain reactive to rider-triggering.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, wind slabs were reactive to skier-triggering in steep, lee features.
Looking forward to Sunday, wind slabs will continue to be the main concern. Check out our field team's MIN from the Crowsnest Pass on Friday for a deeper dive on conditions.
Snowpack Summary
Overnight snowfall will add to roughly 25 cm of recent snowfall. This was accompanied by strong to extreme southwest winds that created wind slabs in lee areas and scoured surfaces at all elevations.
Below the recent snow is a melt-freeze crust on south-facing slopes and hard, wind-pressed snow in exposed terrain.
The snowpack depth varies greatly, windward slopes may only have 50 cm on them while leeward slopes could have as much as 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with up to 1 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with up to 2 cm of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.