Avalanche Forecast

Limited observations have been submitted for this area. On Tuesday and Wednesday, in neighbouring regions to the east, large (size 2 to 3) natural and rider-triggered persistent and deep persistent slabs have been reported in the alpine and treeline.

We are unsure if the same deep persistent slab problem exists in this region, and this uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.

The upper snowpack is heavily wind-affected in the alpine and treeline. Below treeline a new crust or moist snow is on or near the surface.

The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 40 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 50 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 50 to 90 cm.

The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region, in shallower snowpack areas, basal facets may exist.

Friday night

Partially cloudy, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 20 to 50 km/h. Freezing level 3000 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries up to 3 cm of accumulation. Southwest alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h. Freezing level 2500 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud with flurries or rain up to 2 cm of accumulation. West alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with no new snow. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Minimize overhead exposure; avalanches triggered by warming or cornice fall may be large and destructive.