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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 5th, 2025–Feb 6th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Cold temperature's will begin to abate Thursday, and skies will gradually clear.

The best travel can be found in areas unaffected by the wind and where there is a thicker snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday the Sunshine ski hill had a couple ski cut size 1 wind slabs, and several dry loose size 1's out of steep terrain were observed by our field team on Highway 93N.

Otherwise no new avalanches were observed.

Snowpack Summary

Last weekend's storm has settled into 15-20 cm of soft surface snow. This recent snow has buried a new weak layer (dated January 30) which will be important to watch in the future. Currently, minimal slab properties overlying the Jan 30 layer keep the danger moderate to low. The mid-pack is generally weak and faceted with an old crust and depth hoar near the base.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night winds will increase, particularly at higher elevations. Thursday temperature's will gradually warm, winds will lighten and skies will clear into Friday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.