Avalanche Forecast

Several size 1 and 1.5 slab avalanche deposits were observed at the beginning of the storm on Thursday at the Madeleine mines, in the bouleaux and couloir en S sectors. https://avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/34748818-e7e1-11ee-97c1-0a58a9feac02

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

During the storm, the strong to extreme southeasterly wind, then easterly, finally ending in a moderate northwesterly, greatly redistributed the snow, particularly in the alpine and at the treeline.

Mid-mountain, in areas sheltered from the wind, we found 30 to 40 cm of low-density snow resting on a crumbly crust a few centimetres thick. Under this crust, a further twenty centimetres of snow covered the very firm crust of March 10.

The middle of the snowpack is very well consolidated down to the ground. The average snow depth is around 130-140 cm.

Synopsis: A short break before the snow returns on Saturday night to end the weekend in style.

Friday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. West wind 20 to 40 km/h. Low -18.

Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -11.

Saturday evening and night: Snow, 8 to 12 cm total on Sunday morning. Light south-westerly wind veering north-westerly. Low -12.

Sunday: Clearing. Wind 30 to 50 km/h from the northwest. High -12.

Monday: Sunny. Light northwest wind. High -7. Freezing level at 350 m.

For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Be careful to keep storm day fever from luring you out into bigger terrain features.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.