Winds continue to transport available snow, so watch for fresh, reactive wind slabs.
Keep the deep persistent layer in mind, especially in thin or rocky terrain where it is easiest to trigger.
Sheltered areas will offer the best skiing and riding conditions.
Moderate to strong, variable winds have redistributed snow into atypical areas. Wind slabs have been building all week, so be cautious of deeper, more reactive slabs.
Be cautious where the snowpack transitions from thick areas to thin areas. Recent avalanches up to size 3 have been observed on this layer. This problem encompasses multiple weak layers of facets, crusts, and basal facets from November and December.
This week, a natural size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche was observed on a north-facing alpine slope at the north end of the Maligne Valley. Along the Icefields Parkway, a size 2 deep persistent slab was observed on Parker Ridge triggered by natural cornice failure.
Winds have redistributed snow into windslabs in alpine and open treeline areas. The midpack is supportive and sits above 40-60 cm of faceted snow that makes up the lower snowpack. Basal facets and an early season melt freeze crust are located ~30cm off of the ground and remain active as a weak layer in the snowpack.
Average snow depth in the Parker Ridge area is 125-175cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 75cm.
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and trace precipitation. Alpine high near -8 °C with southwest ridge winds around 20 km/h, gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level remains at valley bottom.
TuesdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Alpine temperatures range from -11 to -9 °C with mostly light ridge winds, occasionally gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
WednesdayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and trace precipitation. Alpine temperatures range from -12 to -10 °C with light ridge winds up to 25 km/h.
