Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 3rd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
10-15 cm of fresh snow from the weekend has improved skiing, but wind slabs remain a concern, especially in wind-exposed terrain.
Frigid temperatures persist this weekâbe prepared if you are heading out.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Last weekend's patrol up Maligne and the Icefield noted very little new activity. One loose dry size 1.5 observed on Saskatchewan North avalanche path. On Thursday, Marmot Basin triggered a size 2 avalanche failing on the deep basal layer using explosives. Several natural wind slab avalanches to size 2 as well as smaller loose dry avalanches were observed in the Icefields area on January 29th.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of fresh soft snow sits on a variety of surfaces depending on location, including melt freeze crusts, sun crusts, hard wind slabs, and soft faceted snow. These overlie a generally weak and faceted mid-pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are faceting and surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at tree line, and thins quickly below.
Weather Summary
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: High -22 °C. Ridge wind east: 10 km/h.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -19 °C, High -15 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10-20 km/h.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -20 °C, High -14 °C. Light ridge wind.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent 10-20cm of new snow and winds formed windslabs in lee features particularly at ridgetops. They appear to be stubborn to trigger but be sure to assess this before entering wind effected terrain. Watch for windslabs on all aspects as winds have been variable in direction.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 4th, 2025 4:00PM
