Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2025 1:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
Human triggering is still possible with the generally weak snowpack. Take the time to dig and evaluate the snowpack before committing to steeper lines.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported today.
Snowpack Summary
We have about 8cm of snow that has fallen in the past 3 days at treeline elevation. The main concern right now is the persistent slab 15-30cm thick that is resting on the Jan 30 interface made of facets, sun crust or another dense layer. The mid and lower snowpack is primarily facets. Natural avalanche activity has tapered, but human triggering remains possible, due to the dense slab overlying a lot of weak facets. Forecasters have little confidence in the snowpack. Travelling at lower elevations involves ski penetration to ground if you leave any established trail.
Weather Summary
Thursday will be mostly sunny, a high temperature of -2c in the Alpine and light NW winds. The freezing level is expected to rise to 2000m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This sits upon weak faceted crystals, sun crust or a dense layer that are perfect for slab avalanches. North aspects may be more susceptible to triggering as these areas did not experience a strong melt-freeze cycle like the solar sides did.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2025 4:00PM
