Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Chris Gooliaff,

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Great skiing can be found in locations sheltered from the wind and/or the sun.

Cornices are like bus-sized gargoyles perched atop ridges at this time of year. They are more fragile than they look, so give them respect while traveling near/under them.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunshine and Arctic air will reign supreme for a couple of days, followed by cloud/flurries into the weekend.

Tonight: Clear, -20*C, light E wind

Wed: Sun with cloud, Alp high -16*C, light NW wind

Thurs: Cloudy with sunny periods, Alp high -12*C, light W wind

Fri: Clouds with flurries, 6cm, Alp high -7*C, light SW wind

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust exists up to ~1500m on all aspects and higher on solar aspects. Soft, dry snow can be found in sheltered areas on Northerly terrain features. 40cm of settling snow sits on top of the Feb 26th interface of small surface hoar in sheltered areas and a crust on steep solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed in the last 48hrs.

A size 2.5 natural cornice failure triggered a decent sized slab above the Little Sifton Traverse exit on Saturday.

Several skier accidental avalanches in the size 1.5 range last Thursday and Friday, which likely involved the Feb 26th interface.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slab pockets may be found on all aspects, especially with the reverse-loading by N'ly winds. Keep this in mind if you head to more committing/exposed terrain, where a slip/fall could sweep you over a cliff.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small slab avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2022 4:00PM