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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 9th, 2025–Feb 10th, 2025
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
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
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

Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.

Slabs over the January 30 weak layer are showing signs of becoming reactive to skier traffic.

The cold temps continue. Make sure you have the gear to stay warm if any unexpected delays occur.

Eastern areas of the region have a weaker than normal snowpack this year. Avalanche terrain in these areas should be approached with caution.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A skier-triggered size 2 avalanche was reported on Quartz Ridge in the Sunshine backcountry. For more details, refer to the MIN. The avalanche seems to have occurred on a wind-loaded pocket, though the failure plane remains undetermined.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of snow has been redistributed by variable winds at TL and above. This recent snow has buried a weak layer (dated January 30) which is starting to show signs of becoming active as slab properties develop. The mid-pack is generally weak with facets while depth hoar over a crust forms an even weaker base. The snowpack is the weakest in eastern areas where snow depths are low. In these areas the basal weaknesses should be carefully considered.

Weather Summary

Cold weather will persist into the start of the week, with low temperatures around -30°C and daytime highs reaching -15°C. Expect clear skies, no precipitation, and light to moderate north winds over the coming days.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

S through W winds have created a thin layer of hard windslab in many alpine lee features and moved snow in open areas at treeline. This wind transport has contributed to slab development with potential failure planes in the storm snow and at the January 30 facets, sun crusts, and isolated surface hoar

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2