Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 1st, 2025–Feb 2nd, 2025

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

In the past 48 hours, 10-30cm of new snow has fallen. This will refresh the skiing but has buried a prominent weak layer and a generally weak snowpack. We suspect it will be reactive in the short term.

Get ready for a cold week ahead.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Loose-dry avalanches were seen pouring over the Stanley headwall today. Sunshine and Lake Louise saw both natural storm slab and loose dry avalanches to size 2 out of bounds, and some explosive results to size 2. Most were in the storm snow or on the Jan 30th weak layer. No avalanches have yet been observed to step down to the basal layers.

Snowpack Summary

10-30 cm of new snow over the past 48 hours, coupled with winds, have created storm slabs that are bonding poorly to the underlying snow. The layer being buried (Jan 30) is a mix of crust, surface hoar and facets. The snowpack is generally weak, with an old crust and depth hoar at the base.

Weather Summary

Expect a couple of cm Saturday night and trace amounts on Sunday. Winds will decrease, and cold air will creep in for the foreseeable future. Temperatures will range from -20 to -30C next week.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

New snow and moderate to strong winds have created storm slabs at treeline and above. These new surface slabs are expected to bond poorly to the old surface snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Dry loose avalanches are expected in steep and gulled terrain as the new snow accumulates over the old faceted surface snow. Ice climbers in particular should be wary of these sluffs in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

It is unclear whether this layer will awaken with the new snow load. However, this season's snowpack is very shallow, with weak facets and depth hoar on or near the ground.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3