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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 20th, 2024–Jan 21st, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

A couple of recent large avalanches along the Icefields Parkway are a reminder that if there is enough snow to ride there is enough snow to slide. Dig down and test the reactivity of the snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Saturday and nothing new reported. Thursday-Friday, several deep persistent slabs and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine. As well as loose dry avalanches up to size 2 in very steep rocky alpine terrain with some scrubbing to ground.

Snowpack Summary

There is variable wind effect from previous northerly winds. Down 25cm is a weak layer that is producing results in snow pit tests. Tree line snowpack depth is an average of 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Sunday will be cloudy, flurries, -3 °C, light SW winds, and 1800 metres freezing level. Monday and Tuesday will be similar.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The recent Icefield's avalanches are on North to East aspects down 30cm on a suspected Jan 4th surface hoar or facet layer. This layer is only a concern if there is a supportive slab above it.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering is possible in isolated features such as in steep rocky terrain. Watch for signs of whumphing and cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3.5