The skiing conditions are marginal, with significant wind effect in all open areas above treeline. However, ice climbing conditions are excellent right now with the moderate temperatures and low avalanche danger. Get out there!
Weather Forecast
Strong westerly flow will bring a few flurries and temps from -5 to -12. Winds will be moderate to strong from the south, shifting to north later in the day on Friday. No significant accumulations of snow are forecast.
Snowpack Summary
5 cm of snow overnight has softened up the surface of the snowpack below treeline, however all areas above treeline and in the alpine have been wind blasted. Hard slabs are widespread, and provide a strong bridge over any underlying weakness. Below treeline, the snowpack is facetted throughout but no slab overlies this weakness.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed along Highway 93 from Jasper to the Weeping wall.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.