Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Avalanche closures are in effect for Simpson Area (in Kootenay) and Sunshine Ski Area Access Road on Friday, Jan 21. Avalanche control planned, please no skiing of climbing in these areas.
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will move into the area on Friday. Scattered clouds and light snow are forecasted. There is potential for high freezing levels and lots of sunshine on the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Recent wind and new snow have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine and some tree-line areas. New snow and windslabs overlie facets in many places resulting in wide propagations in recent avalanches. The Dec. 2 crust and facets are generally 60-90cm deep and producing variable . Some thin snowpack areas have lingering basal depth hoar and facets.
Avalanche Summary
Sunshine reported fresh windslabs in the alpine that were easily triggered by skiers. Avalanche control in Yoho Tuesday produced slabs with every shot. Most were failing on a windslab or facet layer 40-60cm deep and then entraining facets in the track. One stepped down to the November facets ~ 180 cm deep.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have produced fresh wind-slabs in the alpine and some tree-line locations.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). If triggered, either layer will result in large avalanches.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5