There are few reports from the region at this time but we suspect there are windslabs at treeline and above, as well as one or more deeper weak layers buried in the snowpack. Use a conservative approach, and please post your observations to the MIN.
Confidence
Low - Due to the number and quality of field observations
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -7. Freezing level 1000 m.FRIDAY: Mainly cloudy. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -8. Freezing level 1000 m.SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud. Light to moderate west wind. Alpine temperature -6 Freezing level 1200 m.
Avalanche Summary
There have been no recent reports of avalanche activity in the region. However observers in Kananaskis Country report reactive, wind slabs on easterly aspects in the alpine producing small avalanches as well as persistent slab activity to Size 2.5 initiating on weak layers at or near the base of the snowpack in the alpine and running to treeline. To the south the deep October layers may be less of concern thanks to the rains from last week however wind slabs at upper elevations are likely to be easily triggered on lee and cross loaded slopes.
Snowpack Summary
There is little to no information regarding snowpack structure within the region. It is suspected however, that the upper snowpack consists of 10-50 cm of recent storm snow above a series of crusts, the most recent being the November 26 crust which is likely to be found up to 2550m elevation. Below this is a thin layer of low density snow then the November 23 crust which also suspected to exists to about 2450 m elevation. A third crust from late October (October 31) can likely be found around mid-pack depths and is believed to be approximately 5-10 cm thick with a layer of weak, sugary snow crystals above and below. This October 31 "crust/facet combo" has been identified as a failure layer in recent avalanche reports from the Kananaskis area to the north will likely remain a concern for northern regions of the South Rockies as well. Finally the early season early October rain crust lies near the base of the snowpack with 10-20 cm of facets below.
Problems
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.
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.