Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, Kananaskis, North 40, Spray - KLakes.
Good skiing can be found on solar exposed features at the moment. Once you tuck on to polar aspects the snow becomes very slow and grabby. The day time highs are slowly warming, but it is cold travelling through the valleys in the morning.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Two field teams out along the Spray today. With good visibility, neither team observed any new avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Recent snow has settled to about 30cm at treeline and is becoming looser(facetted). Expect some recent windslabs in cross loaded gullies and isolated areas in the alpine. The Jan 30 interface is still a question in terms of location and character. It mostly seems to be either a melt/freeze crust, facet layer, buried wind slab or surface hoar. The midpack is supportive in most places, but in rocky areas it has become very weak and "punchy" while walking.
Weather Summary
Saturday will bring slightly warmer temps with a day time high of -17. The possibility of isolated flurries and West winds increasing to moderate..
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
A lot of snow available for transport if the winds pick up as forecasted.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2