Avalanche Forecast

Thursday, a group of skiers accidentally triggered a size 1 wind slab avalanche on a north-east, leeward alpine slope, at La Grande Cuve, Mont Albert. The failure plane was a weak layer of facets, buried under the wind-affected snow.

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

In the alpine and wind-affected areas of N-NE-E-SE slopes, isolated soft wind slabs were developed in the past 48 hours. Older and stiffer slabs overlying weak facet grains are still found on the same slopes.

In sheltered slopes, about 10 cm of snow overlies a rain/solar crust, formed on February 11, on steep solar slopes.

The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facets and crust. Facets and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.

Synopsis: A cold front will sweep across the region Friday night, generating frigid temperatures and light snowfalls.

Friday evening and night: Cloudy. Period of snow. 2 cm. Wind south-west, 30-40 km/h. Minimum -12.

Saturday: Cloudy. Period of snow. 2 cm. Wind northwest, 30-50 km/h. Maximum -10.

Sunday: Mix of sun and cloud. Wind northwest, 20 km/h. Maximum -8.

Monday: Period of snow. 3-5 cm. Wind south-west, 20-30 km/h. Maximum -5.

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

• Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
• Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
• Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.