Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Watch for power sluffing! The surface snow is now so unconsolidated that almost all steep slopes will sluff. If the terrain is long and steep enough (ice climbs, couloirs, gullies) then be prepared to manage a mass of loose snow flowing around you.
Weather Forecast
The arctic ridge continues to dominate the area for the next few days. Clear skies, light north winds and very cold temperatures. Mornings are cold, but if you can find a sheltered spot in the sun temps can feel quite reasonable by mid day.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is stable, but with each passing day it becomes weaker and more unconsolidated as the cold temperatures facet the surface layers. Surface conditions are a mix of wind effect or 30 cm of loose facets sitting over an old layer of surface hoar and crust (Jan 17) down 40-60 cm. Snowpack tests show hard, resistent shears on this layer.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity observed today. Recent reports have noted small wind slabs being triggered in the alpine and loose dry avalanches releasing in steep terrain at all elevations. The faceted surface can easily entrain mass, and sweep you off your feet!
Problems
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.