At the top of the snowpack is a weak layer that may be problematic in areas of wind loading. At the bottom of the snowpack, the weak basal layer may be difficult to trigger, but steep, shallow areas should still be carefully assessed.
Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations below tree line.
This problem is low probability but high consequence as it would be releasing near the ground thus with a lot of destructive volume. Be extra cautious where snowpack goes from thick to thin areas.
On January 25th, numerous, small, dry-loose avalanches were observed in steep, rocky terrain.
On January 20th, a skier triggered a size 2.5 outside the Lake Louise ski area. It was triggered in a cross loaded, shallow feature and ran on a basal layer.
On Jan 17th, Marmot Basin Ski Patrol remote triggered a size 3.5 outside of the ski area that ran on a basal layer.
The surface hoar and facets that were developing at the surface have now been buried under 5-15 cm of low density snow and may form a weak layer in the snowpack. The snowpack below is dense and supportive, but is weakest between 0 and 30 cm above the ground with the presence of more developed facets and potentially depth hoar.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
TuesdayA mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
WednesdayMainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-30 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
