Jasper Visitor Safety wishes everyone a Happy New Year as we patiently wait for more snow in the forecast.
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in some features, like approaching or moving between pitches on ice climbs. Be cautious in steep terrain if you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported in the last few days.
Extensive wind effect tree line and above throughout the region, with windward aspects scoured and hard wind pressed snow on lee features. Sheltered areas have a weak faceted snowpack with the early December surface hoar down 20-30cm, and depth hoar making up the bottom 10-30cm. Two thin melt freeze crusts from December (5th and 22nd) warming events exist below 1700m on solar aspects. Average snow depth at tree line is 40-70cm.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
