Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
We're entering one of the busiest times at Rogers Pass, so please be aware of groups above or below you!
Surface wind slabs and folks engorged with Holiday food have the potential to dig down to a deeper weak layer, creating large avalanches. Stick to supported terrain (and the veggie platter) to manage this hazard.
Happy Holidays!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Warm temps, rapid loading and strong winds triggered a natural avalanche cycle. Evidence of several loose dry avalanches and a few slabs from steep terrain were observed on a flight over.
A human triggered avalanche occurred on Video peak late Saturday with 3 in the group involved but not injured.
Last week there were a number of significant human-triggered avalanches failing on the Dec 1st surface hoar layer. The most notable avalanches occurred on Balu Pk & Ursus Minor.
Snowpack Summary
15-25 cms of new snow has fallen over the last few days with wind creating wind slabs at ridgetop. Below 1800m 10-15cm of snow sits on a breakable rain crust.
The Dec 1 surface hoar, down 50-100cm, continues to produce 'sudden' results in tests and has been the culprit in several recent close calls from skier-triggered avalanches.
Below 2100m, a rain crust is buried 40-50cm deep. In shallow areas the base of the snowpack is faceted and unsupportive.
Weather Summary
Clear flying for Santa tonight, with the gift of sunshine being spread across the land.
Tonight: Clear skies, Alp low -9°C, light SW winds, freezing level (fzl) at valley bottom
Monday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace snow, Alp high -4°C, Temp: High , light S winds, fzl rising to 1400m midday.
Tuesday: Flurries, 10-15cm, Alp high -3°C, light/moderate SW winds, 1600m fzl
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Winds have redistributed snow in the Alpine. Expect to find it most reactive at ridge top and in lee or cross-loaded features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of surface hoar down 50-100 cm in the snowpack is at the ideal depth for human triggering and remains reactive. This persistent weak layer has been very slow to bond but seems less reactive below 2100m where it may be bridged by a buried rain crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3