Avalanche Forecast

Yesterday's road patrol on the Icefields Parkway observed a natural size 1.5 avalanche in the alpine. This avalanche is estimated to have occurred a few days ago running on the persistent weak layer. Explosive control at Marmot ski resort at tree line and alpine has been producing small results mostly running within new snow and occasionally scrubbing to the persistent weak layer in the last few days.

5-10cm of recent snow overlies previous wind slab in the alpine. At tree line and below a surface hoar layer can be found down 25-35cm in sheltered areas and generally rests on facetted snow to ground. The snowpack ranges from 40-100cm deep and can be unsupportive in locations.

The weather pattern is expected to be quite stable over the next three days. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with no precipitation and alpine temperatures hovering between -10 °C and -5 °C. Ridge winds will be light to moderate out of northwest.

• Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
• If it's deep enough to ride, it's deep enough to slide (avalanche).
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.