Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Recent snowfall has improved skiing conditions at higher elevations, though it's important to remain cautious of rocks and hidden hazards.
Winds are expected to remain light on Sunday, but be alert for potential increases in localized winds or snow transport, as this could lead to heightened avalanche danger.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Minimal new avalanche activity was observed today. Local ski hills reported a few size 1 avalanches triggered by explosives, primarily consisting of loose surface snow entraining mass in steep terrain.
Friday, Sunshine Ski Hill had several results failing on the October crust. A small hand charge triggered a size 2.5, a skier triggered a size 2, and numerous other smaller results.
Snowpack Summary
10-30 cm of low-density storm snow sits over an early-season snowpack ranging from 50-90 cm at TL. Two weak layers exist: a Nov 9 crust/surface hoar 25-40 cm above the ground, and an Oct crust/facet layer right above the ground. We have limited observations of how widespread this layer is, but we think the Oct crust is more prominent at treeline and above on Northerly aspects.
Weather Summary
Scattered flurries with minimal snow accumulation are expected to continue across the forecast region. Ridge-top winds will remain light to moderate in the alpine on Sunday, and temperatures will stay cool, with a daytime high around -10°C.
Winds may begin to pick up slightly starting Monday.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the possibility for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The Oct 23 crust, just above the ground with weak facets above it, has slowly increased in reactivity (see avalanche summary). The most alarming results have been in the Sunshine area, with fewer reports in other regions. We are uncertain as to how widespread the problem is at this point.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5