Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 25th, 2021–Dec 26th, 2021

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Here's hoping that some insulated layers were on your Christmas list. Enjoy the fresh snow, watch for wind slabs, and be prepared to deal with the cold. In these temperatures even a minor injury or delay can quickly become a big deal.

Weather Forecast

The Arctic air mass continues to bring cold temperatures to the region. Day time high temps will be near -25 C at valley bottom with the evening lows dropping below -30 C. A slight inversion may be present above treeline. Light flurries and light to moderate winds above treeline will continue Sunday, with a clearing trend starting Sunday evening.

Snowpack Summary

10-40 cm of snow over the last few days with S-SW winds have developed wind slabs at treeline and above. There is 50-70 cm over the Dec 2 crust/facet combo which exists below 2200m...this has not been an active problem yet but we are monitoring it closely. Shallow areas (<100 cm) may still have weak basal facets and a DPS issue near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was reported Saturday with limited observations. Local ski hills have seen some recent wind slab avalanches in steep lee areas triggered by explosives and ski cutting. On Thursday we received reports of loose dry avalanches with the recent snow sitting over faceted snow and running far and fast.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snow and previous S-SW winds have created wind slabs at treeline and above. These are slowly becoming more difficult to trigger but can still be triggered by skiers/boarders in the right spot.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

The recent snow is sitting over a layer of faceted snow and may still sluff easily in steep terrain, especially in places that got the most snow during the last week.

Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5