Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 29th, 2024–Mar 1st, 2024

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Glacier.

Natural avalanche activity will taper off as temps cool and winds abate, but human triggering of the persistent weak layer remains likely.

Stick to conservative terrain, and be aware of who is above and below you. With great skiing to be had for the first time in forever, it may feel challenging to remain disciplined on your descent.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on Wednesday night produced widespread results, mostly in the size 2-3 range, with some up to size 3.5.

There were several large natural avalanches observed in the highway corridor on Wednesday, with a couple dust clouds reaching the highway.

On Tuesday a group triggered a size 3 avalanche from ridge top in the Camp West area, failing on the Feb 3rd crust. Numerous other human triggered avalanches have been reported in the region on this layer.

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. No 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: Clear periods. Moderate SW ridgetop winds. Alpine low -12°C.

Friday: Isolated flurries (3-5cm). Light/mod S winds Alpine High -11°C.

Saturday: Flurries 5-10cm, light SE winds, Low -11 °C, High -9°C.

Sun: Sunny periods. Light SW wind. Low -19 °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

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.