Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 11th, 2015 8:14AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Glacier.

Skiing is still rugged down low. Taking a ride in a slide would leave you with little pride.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light to moderate snowfall throughout the day, with freezing levels remaining below 1000m. Winds will be moderate westerlies. Brace yourself for a stronger, warmer storm Thursday/Friday, with 50-70cm of snow, rising freezing levels, and strong ridge-top winds.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of overnight snow blankets an shallow, early season snowpack. There is widespread surface hoar under this new snow. Wind slabs in alpine and tree-line lee features are starting to bond better with the underlying snowpack. Many rocks, stumps, and trees are still poking through the surface, so early season hazards still prevail.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a skier-triggered size 3.5 along Bruins Ridge caught two people. Partial burial of those involved. Dimensions were 50-100cm deep, 300m wide, and 1200m in length. The slide covered part of the Video Pk uptrack. Natural activity has eased off since the last storm, but will likely ramp up again with the approaching storm front.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Soft wind slab exists at alpine and tree-line elevations after the weekend storm. They will be harder to see with the new snow. These slabs are propagating wide and running quite long distances.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

The new snow overlies a widespread surface hoar layer. With increased loading (snowfall, wind transport) these slabs will become reactive.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are still visible.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Steep gullies and confined chutes will concentrate your sluffs. Be aware of flowing loose snow if you are in one of these features.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 12th, 2015 8:00AM