Banff Yoho Kootenay

Avalanche problems

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–3

  These hard windslabs are between 10 and 25cm deep. Any new snow may hide these windslabs that up until recently have been active. It may still be possible to trigger this layer in select features from a thin edge of the slab.
• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  1–3

  A surface hoar layer down 70-100 cm has been found in Kootenay, Sunshine, Takakkaw falls, and BJ highway. It's isolated in distribution. It varies between unreactive to stubborn in tests, but shears cleanly when it goes.
• 

  Deep Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  This layer may become more active and more sensitive to trigger with the forecasted snow and moderate SW winds for tonight and Monday. Cornice failures or new load from snow or wind may trigger large avalanches (see MCR on Stanley area).