Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 22nd, 2012 8:46AM

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

Parks Canada sylvia forest, Parks Canada

The snowpack is very tricky to assess right now, due to wide variation in the distribution of buried surface hoar and sun crust layers. Wide propagations are likely, with avalanches running full path. Avalanche control is ongoing in the park today.

Summary

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
Surface hoar layers and sun crusts from February 8 and 16 are now up to 75cm deep in the snowpack. A frontal system overnight deposited another 25cm of storm snow, with high winds, creating a very reactive slab that is easily triggered by riders.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
High S winds have redistributed storm snow into slabs which sit on sun crust and surface hoar layers. These are most prevalent in wind exposed areas. Wide propagations are likely. Skiers have remotely triggered avalanches 50m away.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2012 8:00AM