Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 30th, 2021 3:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada mkoppang, Avalanche Canada

Windslabs are evident in Alpine features along gullies and in crossloaded terrain. The Sun is your friend on these cold days so plan to be on Solar aspects!

Summary

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Winds will be mostly light on Friday with no new snow expected. Temperatures will remain cool with daytime highs around -19C expected. Plan your trips to be in the sun for the better part of the day! No new snow is expected this week. 

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry slides on north aspects up to sz 1. 

Snowpack Summary

Wind affect in alpine areas can be seen. In some areas it is more extensive than others with dense windslabs up to 20cm thick. These slabs are in crossloaded features and along ridgelines. At treeline the slabs are much less prominent. Be careful in steep unsupported features where a smaller windslab may be reactive to a skier. Thinner areas are starting to facet out and loose strength but overall the snowpack is handling the cooler temperatures well and remains mostly supportive. Steep north facing terrain is producing loose dry sluffing in the upper snowpack as it weakens.  

Terrain and Travel

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Windslabs along ridgelines and in gullied terrain are evident in alpine features. Use caution in steeper or unsupported features and look for cracking or the drummy feeling. Some features in the Alpine had a distinct drummy feeling on Thursday. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 31st, 2021 3:00PM