Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Lake Louise.
Early season conditions are present with a thin snowpack, lots of variability in snow depth, and plenty of lurking hazards to hit. Some good travel and turns can be found, but options are limited. Travel with care.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs up to size 1.5 reported by the local ski hills during avalanche control with explosives and ski cutting. No new natural avalanches observed.
Snowpack Summary
A couple cm's of new snow on Monday with increasing N and E winds. Light wind transport in the alpine. Small wind slabs are present in the alpine on multiple aspects as a result of the variable winds in the past couple of days. 50-80 cm of total snow at treeline throughout the region, with up to 120 cm in loaded alpine features. Below treeline is generally below the threshold for avalanches.
Weather Summary
Cold, clear weather is starting with the arrival of an arctic ridge of high pressure. Winds should drop down into the light range for Tuesday and remain there. Temperatures are starting off quite cold (-20 to -25°C) but are forecast to slowly increase towards the end of the week.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small windslabs are present in the alpine as a result of winds from a variety of directions over the past several days. These are becoming less reactive but can be triggered by skiers/climbers in steep terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2