Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Good skiing exists in areas that have been sheltered from the wind.

Assess wind loading on open slopes before committing to terrain as windslabs may remain reactive to human triggers.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reported avalanches in the park.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and treeline there has been widespread wind affect. In sheltered areas there is roughly 15cm of snow overlying the January 30th layer which is a temperature crust or wind slab depending on the area.

The midpack is weak and faceted. At the bottom of the snowpack the early season crusts are faceting and breaking down but continue to persist along with large depth hoar. The snowpack at tree line is 70-130 cm in the Icefields area and 50 cm in the Maligne area.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.

Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -10 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -11 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. These windslabs may be sitting on top of facets or the January 30th crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A variety of crusts with Depth Hoar 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.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2025 4:00PM

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