Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2025 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Wind slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase as a storm ramps up Saturday afternoon.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our field team reported small skier-triggered wind slabs in steep start zones in the Sky Pilot area on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow falls over soft, and possibly faceted surfaces. As wind picks up through the day Saturday, new and older snow will likely be redistributed at upper elevations.

A rain crust buried 30 to 50 cm deep appears to be bonding well. The mid and lower snowpack is well consolidated and bonded.

Snow depth varies from 130 to 250 cm at treeline, tapering quicly with elevation.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. South ridgetop wind increasing 20 to 50 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

20 to 40 cm of snow overnight then clearing. Northwest ridgetop wind easing 40 to 15 km/h. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

New snow and wind are forming fresh slabs. They are most likely to be reactive in wind-loaded leeward terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM

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