Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 30th, 2017 8:05AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada dean flick, Parks Canada

Extra caution is needed today! Strong south winds last night have likely formed touchy slabs on lee and cross-loaded features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Today will be mostly cloudy with some flurries possible from an advancing Arctic front. There may also be some sunny periods. Alpine temperatures are forecast to be a high of -12C. Ridge winds, west 20-65km/h.

Snowpack Summary

Touchy wind slabs can be expected not just in the immediate lee of ridges, but also further down the slopes, where strong winds will have deposited snow. Sun crusts will be found on steep solar aspects. Stability tests have produced planar results down 25-40cm in some locations, but generally these interfaces are bonding. Scoured snow in alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Yesterday natural activity produced two size 2 slabs, a cornice triggered size 1.5 wind slab, and a size 1. On Saturday a group remote triggered a size 2 slab from 30m+/- away at 2300m on Cheops North 5, N asp. 2 skiers were involved but not buried or injured. The slide was 30cm deep, 20m wide, and ran approximately 200m.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist at ridge-top and on cross-loaded alpine and treeline features. Given the right location they may be triggered by skiers. They are of most concern in high consequence locations such as steep terrain.
Avoid unsupported slopes.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 31st, 2017 8:00AM