Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 12th, 2025–Feb 13th, 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, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Widespread wind slabs in the alpine. More sheltered skiing can be found at tree line and below.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind slabs in the alpine from 10-40cm with some areas having a 10cm hard wind slab. The January 30 interface(crust/facets/surface hoar) is present about 20-40cm down but mostly producing hard test results which were non-planar. The midpack is supportive in most places, but in rocky areas it has become very weak and "punchy" while walking/sking.

Weather Summary

Thursday will be a mix of sun and cloud and a high of -8c. Winds are expected to be moderate from the SW.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid steep terrain that is rocky and thin.

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.