Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2017 3:32PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Do not let the clear skies trick you into skiing big slopes as the snowpack is weak.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

The upcoming week is forecasting dry conditions with light southerly winds and alpine temperatures around -10c

Avalanche Summary

One size 2.5 slab avalanche probably cornice triggered just below ridgeline East face of Snowpeak (2500m)

Snowpack Summary

Mostly a weak snowpack. The upper third of the snowpack is comprised of laminated windslabs overlying a weak midpack and basal facets.. BTL, the facets are even more prominent through most of the snowpack making travel even more challenging.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

If this layers if triggered, there is a likelihood of entraining the entire snowpack with it

Avoid unsupported slopes.Avoid cross loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The big concern is that if anything gets triggered within the snowpack, then the entire snowpack would fail on the basal facets.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2017 2:00PM