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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 2nd, 2021–Apr 3rd, 2021
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

The north aspects deliver for dry snow, but not soft snow. Widespread wind effect is very apparent and makes for some tricky, unpredictable, yet entertaining skiing. 

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

It looks like tomorrow will have a little more sun than Friday. Expect the solar input to be strong, especially with a thin layer of cloud. Winds will be light from the SW and maybe there will be a few flurries. Fingers crossed. The daytime high will be around zero, with a freezing level of 2200m. I wish I had better news for later in the week, but the storm I mentioned yesterday has been delayed, and it appears to be weaker than expected. 

Avalanche Summary

We witnessed one small powder cloud on the south side of Hero's knob today at 10am. Not sure where it initiated, but it would have been alpine in nature. No slab visible.

Snowpack Summary

Valley bottom snow was moist by 11am. Treeline hung in there and still had dry snow as of 1200. It likely stayed that way due to cloud cover. The most notable snowpack feature is the widespread wind effect. Any open area at treeline and up has a 5-10cm thick windslab. There are sheltered areas at treeline holding good snow, but they are small and isolated. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid steep convex slopes.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

These kept us on our toes today from a ski quality perspective as well as an avalanche problem. They seem to be variable in hardness and location despite being widespread. Ski quality could be described as "engaging".

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5