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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 11th, 2025–Feb 12th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Glacier.

Use caution in areas exposed to wind and near ridgetop where wind slabs are most prevalent.

Temperatures are still uncomfortably cold in the shade so be prepared for unexpected delays with extra layers and calories.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Field teams and MIN reports have observed some whumping and cracking of the surface wind slab. There were also a few size 1 dry loose natural avalanches in steep unsupported terrain.

Monday- Size 1 skier accidental wind slab on 8812 peak occurred on a east aspect at approx 2600m. This was not witnessed and no MIN report was submitted.

Neighboring operations, particularly to the west, are still reporting rider & remote triggered avalanches on the Jan 30th layer.

Snowpack Summary

Isolated pockets of wind slab are lingering near ridgetop and in exposed terrain. Areas sheltered from the wind are faceted providing good quality skiing.

A weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30th drought layer) is 30-50cm down from the snow surface.

The Jan 7th layer is down 50-80cm, and is comprised of surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects.

Weather Summary

The arctic blocking pattern is starting to break down bringing a slight warming trend by the end of the week.

Tonight Clear periods. Alpine temperature low -20°C. Ridge wind N 10-30km/hr.

Wed Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -17°C. Wind SW 10m/h.

Thurs Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine high -10°C! Wind SE 10 km/hr.

Friday Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine high -10 °C. Light ridge wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.