Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Sheltered areas still offer good skiing. Be mindful of the cold temps. Even a minor injury or equipment problem can turn into a serious emergency at -30C.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Isolated sluffing in extreme Alpine terrain up to size 1.0. Otherwise no other avalanche observations.
Snowpack Summary
Previous storm snow has settled to between 20 and 30cm at treeline. Expect some recent wind slabs in cross loaded gullies and isolated areas in the alpine. The Jan 30 interface is still a question in terms of location and character. It mostly seems to be either a melt/freeze crust, facet layer, buried wind slab or surface hoar. The midpack is supportive in most places, but in rocky areas it has become very weak and "punchy" while walking/sking.
Weather Summary
Monday will be mainly sunny with a cold start (near -31C!!!), and a high of -18C. Winds will be light from the North with no precipitation expected.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Some new surface wind slab have formed in terrain above 2300m. There are also buried wind slabs that could be more sensitive to triggering in steep and unsupported terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2