Should be a great weekend to get out ice climbing or to travel in the alpine. A big dump of snow is needed before good skiing is a reality.
Weather Forecast
A dry northerly flow will bring scattered clouds and only the faintest hope of a few flurries with no appreciable accumulation. Expect moderate North winds on Saturday with alpine temperatures slightly warmer than normal and very high diurnal variation as the sun's effect becomes stronger.
Snowpack Summary
Hard windslab is bridging the weak basal facets on most lee aspects above treeline. The treeline mid-pack continues to weaken as the faceting process continues and below treeline the snowpack is thin and weak.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed on a patrol of the Maligne Road on Friday.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
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.