Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 1st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.
JH,
Avalanche Canada
Don't let the faceshots blind you into making poor decision! Skier/rider triggering of the persistent weak layer remains likely.
Stick to conservative terrain, and be aware of who is above and below you.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, a group triggered a size 3 in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd persistent weak layer. We continue to see daily reports in the region of other human triggered avalanches on this layer - many failing in small forest openings.
Avalanche control just West of the park Friday produced numerous large avalanches, including a size 4 on the Feb 3rd crust, 1.5m deep x 800m wide.
Avalanche control on Wednesday night produced widespread results, in the size 2-3.5 range.
Snowpack Summary
Storm snow totals in the past week have reached up to 120 cm. Moderate to strong southerly winds have loaded lee features.
Below the storm snow, a layer of facetted crystals sits on the Feb 3rd crust, and will be the main failure plane of concern in the coming days. This layer is now buried deeply, and it's reactivity will vary from one slope to the next. A lack of obvious signs of instability on the approach does not mean it is a good idea to step out to ski in avalanche terrain.
Weather Summary
Unsettled weather persists in to the weekend, with dropping temps, light winds and and convective flurries forecast.
Tonight: Isolated flurries. Light SW ridgetop winds. Alpine low -11°C.
Saturday: Scattered flurries (5cm). Light SE ridgetop winds. Alpine High -10°C.
Sun: Scattered flurries (5cm). Light SW wind. Low -14 °C, High -12 °C.
Mon: Isolated flurries. Light SW wind. Low -16 °C, High -12 °C.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low-angle, well-supported terrain with no overhead hazard.
- Remote triggering is a concern, avoid terrain where triggering slopes from below is possible
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This crust-facet combo, created by extended periods without snow earlier this month, and buried on Feb 3rd, remains primed for human triggering (see FB video). Stick to low angle or densely treed slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
40-60cm of snow Wednesday, accompanied by strong winds, has created fresh slabs. These will be deeper and more reactive in wind loaded terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2024 4:00PM
