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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2021–Dec 5th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Kananaskis.

If you can deal with the poor valley bottom travel, you'll be rewarded with great skiing once over 2150m.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Ice climbers rejoice! It looks like we're going to get our first cold snap of the season starting tomorrow afternoon. Around 4pm temperatures are expected to start dropping to -25! That's gonna sting. 

Aside from that small problem, it looks like a decent weather day tomorrow. Some flurries with no significant accumulation, moderate alpine winds from the west and broken skies all day. 

Avalanche Summary

It is very common for us to have "spindrift slabs" at the bottom of the bigger cliffs. Now is no different. We saw numerous loose dry avalanches pour down the bigger cliffs. Aside from that, there were no avalanches seen.

Snowpack Summary

Today's ski trip took us to Black Prince area. Quite an interesting day. Up to 2100m the snowpack is literally a frozen mass of snow. While some of the deeper snow hasn't frozen yet, the rock hard shell that covers it will keep it in place. As for ski quality...throwing a mouth guard and ibuprofen into your bag for the ski down wouldn't be a terrible idea (I'm only half joking). In all seriousness, I really did wish I had ski crampons today for the uptracking through the treeline elevation band.

Once above the 2150-2200m mark the snow quality improved greatly. The crust faded away and there was 20-35cm of fresh snow on top. We didn't have a windslab problem as we were tucked up against some cliffs, but you would certainly find them in exposed areas. A quick pit revealed a very well settled snowpack with no obvious weakness. How often do you read that for K-Country??

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid lee and cross loaded slopes in the alpine.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs. We have 'em, but they are increasingly hard to find. Mostly because they are getting buried, but also because they are stabilizing with the warm temperatures.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

This will be interesting to watch as the cold sets in. Fortunately we have enough snow to insulate it, but it could become a problem if it becomes an extended cold snap.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3