Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 3 – 4, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Conditions are generally good, but not perfect as the week warms up. Climbers should be wary of steep, sun exposed gullies, and skiers watch out for the weaker snowpack in the Lake Louise area. Thurs and Fri will be hot days in sheltered areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Hard to describe the location of these as they appear quite random, but they exist so watch for them. Due to the surface faceting they have the potential to run far.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. Big sluffs are possible if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.

Weather Forecast

The warm air has arrived and it at the higher elevations today and also for Wednesday. Expect clear skies and continued warming through the week, particularly on the eastern side of the park. Valley bottom high's will reach +1 by Friday. Thursday and Friday will be the warmest days of the week. Don't be fooled by cold temps in the valleys.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is a mix of soft powder and wind effect in alpine areas. The recent cold temperatures have weakened the upper half of the snowpack, and several weak layers exist in the top 60 cm. The distribution of these layers across our forecast region is quite random. The loose surface snow will run far when even a small avalanche starts.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of interesting activity around the Lake Louise backcountry today. We received reports of a 3 different avalanches triggered by skiers in West Bowl (size 1), Corral Creek Slides (size 1.5) and Hidden Bowl (size 2). No involvements but these were unexpected and definitely highlight the uncertainty in the snow pack around Lake Louise.

Confidence

Regions covered