Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2025 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

Slabs over the January 30 weak layer are showing signs of becoming reactive to skier traffic.

The cold temps continue. Make sure you have the gear to stay warm if any unexpected delays occur.

Eastern areas of the region have a weaker than normal snowpack this year. Avalanche terrain in these areas should be approached with caution.

Summary

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise reported triggering a couple of sz 1.5 slabs on the Jan 30 crust on E and SE aspects at TL and above Friday while Sunshine saw a large cornice failure to the south of their tenure that scrubbed out a deep slab on a NE aspect in the alpine.

In the Little Yoho subregion skiers triggered a sz 1.5 slab on the Jan. 30 layer at treeline below Wapta Peak

There was a remotely triggered avalanche just southwest of our region that likely failed on the Jan. 30th layer on Wednesday.

Weather Summary

Saturday evening W-SW winds are expected to diminish to light and shift NW as the Arctic ridge re-asserts itself further over the next few days. Overnight lows at treeline near -26C.

Cloud is still in the forecast for Sunday and the winds are to increase back to the moderate range in the alpine as temperatures approach -15C for the high at treeline.

Clearing trend for Monday as the temperatures tick lower.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

S through W winds have created a thin layer of hard windslab in many alpine lee features and moved snow in open areas at treeline. This wind transport has contributed to slab development with potential failure plans in the storm snow and at the January 30 facets, sun crusts, and isolated surface hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2025 4:00PM

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