Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Glacier.
Solar triggered dry loose sluffing is possible with rising freezing levels.
Use caution in steep terrain for rider triggered sluffing and lingering storm slabs.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new natural activity was observed on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, riders triggered dry loose sluffing in steep east facing terrain in the alpine.
Neighbouring operations reported natural cornice falls on Tues.
Natural storm slabs in extreme terrain up to size 2 were observed from Monday afternoon.
Soft, surface storm slabs were reactive to ski cuts on steep slopes in the Mt Fidelity area at treeline on Monday. These were size 1.5 were running far due to the crusty bed surface.
Snowpack Summary
~15 cm of storm snow fell early in the week above 1600. Below this new snow a crust is present on solar slopes in the alpine and on all aspects below 2200m. This crust has been a bed surface this week for small loose dry and storm slab avalanches. Both of these problems have been human and naturally triggered.
Rising freezing levels will rapidly deteriorate the upper snowpack as spring conditions return to treeline and into the alpine.
Expect variable conditions below treeline.
Weather Summary
A ridge of high pressure maintains clear skies with rising freezing levels later in the week.
Tonight Clear with cloudy periods. Alp Low: -2 deg C. Wind E 10 km/h. Freezing Level (FZL) 1300m.
Thurs Sunny with cloudy periods. Alp high +3 deg C. Wind SE 15 km/h. FZL 2500m.
Fri Sunny. Alp high +7. Wind SE 10-20 km/h. FZL 2800m.
Sat A mix of sun and cloud w/isolated showers. Alp high 0 deg C. Wind Light. FZL 2900m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
Rising freezing levels and strong spring sun will weaken the upper snowpack. Avoid exposure to sun effected slopes in the afternoon. Use caution in steep terrain and around terrain traps, were even a small avalanche could have large consequences.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices will weaken with daytime warming. Pay attention to these large triggers lurking on ridge top features throughout the park.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3