Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2017 8:00AM

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

mark herbison, Parks Canada

Glacier.

NW winds building wind slab in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Manage your sluff appropriately in steep terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure has settled in over Roger's Pass, expect cloudy skies with some sunny breaks throughout the day today. No new snow is forecast and the alpine high will be -11 with the freezing level staying at valley bottom. Winds will be generally light from the Northwest. The high pressure will dominate the weather through the week.

Snowpack Summary

50cm of settling HST from past several days has giving many riders & skiers the 'woohoo' syndrome. The November 26/23rd crusts are down 65-80cm, with recent stability tests showing moderate-hard results with resistent to sudden planar fracture character. The lower snowpack is still moist but is starting to dry out with cooler temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

Several naturals yesterday along the highway corridor up to Sz 2.5The storm from Friday and Saturday brought heavy snowfall and strong winds at ridgetop. This triggered a natural avalanche cycle to size 3 with some paths running to valley bottom.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Wind Slabs

50cm of low density storm snow is been redistributed by moderate winds in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Winds have been variable over the past several days but the predominate flow is now from the NW, moderate gusting to strong at times.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

50cm of low density storm snow has delivered excellent riding conditions. For the most part sluff accumulation is manageable but use caution if you are stepping out into steeper, committing terrain.

Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2017 8:00AM