Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Deep persistent slabs remain the primary avalanche concern.
While seeking good turns, be mindful of the thick to thin transitions within the snowpack where this layer is more likely to be triggered.
Good skiing can still be found in sheltered locations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There was a size 1, and a size 2 wind slab observed on different features of Parkers ridge on December 27th.
Outside the park there have been recent reports of explosive results on the early season crusts producing avalanches up to size 2.5
Snowpack Summary
Sheltered locations may still hold 15cm of soft snow. In protected areas, a weak layer of Surface Hoar or melt freeze crust may be 10-30cm down. The mid pack is mostly made up of facets. At the bottom of the snowpack there are multiple early season crusts with facets above and below.
Weather Summary
MondayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -12 °C. Ridge wind west: 10 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
WednesdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -13 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Avoid wind loaded unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2