Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Akamina, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West, Flathead, Lizard, Lizard-Flathead, South Rockies.
Clear skies, cool temperatures, and a generally stable snowpack make it a good time to explore more complex terrain.
Maintain good travel habits, especially on high-consequence slopes.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, near Fernie, a few small (size 1) avalanches were reported in terrain sheltered from the wind.
On Monday, a small (size 1) remote triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on a convex roll in treeline terrain.
With the current weather forecast and snowpack conditions, we foresee both natural and human-triggered avalanches remaining unlikely.
If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Widespread wind-effect, including sastrugi, can be found in many open, upper-elevation areas, especially east of the Continental Divide. Isolated pockets of wind slab on leeward slopes may still be reactive to human traffic. Soft snow and good riding may still be found in shady, sheltered areas.
New surface hoar is growing in sheltered areas. On slopes facing the sun, thin wind slabs may cover a sun crust.
The mid and lower snowpack is strong and bonded, with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths average 150 to 200 cm in the Lizard and Flathead areas, and around 60 to 100 cm elsewhere.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind, 50 to 70 km/h west of Elkford. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline Temperature -13 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.