Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 8th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Continue to use good travel habits, and use extra caution around thin, rocky start zones.
Carefully choose the terrain you play in. A weak, unpredictable layer continues to lurk near the bottom of the snowpack.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, near both Golden and Invermere. Several small (size 1-1.5), naturally triggered loose wet avalanches were reported on steep slopes. Sun and/or warm temperatures were the most likely triggers.
On Thursday, north of Golden, just outside of the forecast area, a large (size 2), rider triggered, deep persistent slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine. The avalanche started 50 m above the riders, and 2 sympathetic avalanches were observed on the adjacent slope. See the excellent Mountain Information Network (MIN) post here for more information, including photos, and reflections on a close call.
Snowpack Summary
Dry, powder snow remains on shaded (northerly) slopes in the alpine. Moist snow or thin crusts exist on solar aspects at all elevations, and on all aspects below treeline.
The mid-snowpack may still contain a number of weak layers, primarily in sheltered treeline terrain. No recent avalanche activity has occurred on these layers suggesting they are likely not a primary concern.
The lower snowpack includes a widespread layer of large, weak facets and/or depth hoar crystals. This weak layer has been responsible for several very large and destructive avalanches throughout the season, including one on Thursday.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly clear. Trace of snow expected. Snow line around 1200 m. Treeline temperature around -2°C. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, possibly sunny in the afternoon. Trace of snow expected in the alpine. Rain below 1800 m. Treeline temperature around 0°C. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to strong at higher elevations.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 8-15 cm of snow expected in the alpine. Rain below 1900 m. Light variable ridgetop wind, strong southwest at high elevations.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected as the snow line drops back to valley bottom. Light southwest ridgetop wind, trending to moderate at high elevations.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
- Carefully evaluate bigger terrain features on an individual basis before committing to them.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack remains very weak. Avoid thin, rocky start zones and shallow areas with variable snowpack depths.
Deep persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported in this forecast area. See the avalanche summary for details of a deep persistent slab avalanche that were kindly shared by some backcountry users who had a close call.
This is a low-probability/high-consequence avalanche problem, and managing it is very tricky.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 9th, 2023 4:00PM
