Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 7th, 2017–Jan 8th, 2017

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Glacier.

High quality skiing and riding can be found in many locations. However slab avalanches can still be triggered on specific terrain features.

Weather Forecast

Today expect a mix of sun and cloud, no precip, an alpine high of -10 and wind SE @15km/h. Cloudy tonight, light snow on Sunday (up to 4cm) and 10cm on Monday with the freezing level rising to 1000m accompanied by mod to strong winds. By Wednesday the Arctic high pressure returns with frigid temps and clear skies.

Snowpack Summary

Previous strong N'ly winds hammered exposed slopes in the Alpine and at treeline. Leaving behind windslabs on specific locations, the Dec 26th surface hoar is spotty and doesn't exist in all locations. The December 18th interface is easier to find (50-80cm down) still producing hard results in tests with varying fracture character.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, skiers accidentally triggered a size 1.5 windslab on a SW aspect at 2350m (see their MIN for details). In the region there were several similar reports of triggerable wind slabs up to 50cm deep. There have been no natural avalanches observed in the park for a few days. In addition there have been reports of cornices failing.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Previous reverse loading has left behind wind slabs and firm wind pressed snow in the Alpine and at Tree line. Most of the skier triggered avalanches reported have been on Southerly aspects in shallow areas of the Alpine.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Avoid traveling on ledges and cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3