Even though natural avalanche activity is tapering, the snowpack remains capable of producing large avalanches. While skiing and riding conditions are excellent, careful terrain selection is critical - slopes that have not yet slid remain prime for triggering.
Soft snow is available for building wind slabs. Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
The March 20 crust is buried 20-60cm and producing sudden planar results in tests. The Jan 24 facets are 80 to 120cm deep and were active in the recent cycle. Dig down to investigate how these layers are adjusting to the new load. Slopes that have not released naturally should be treated with caution.
There is still widespread evidence of the previous large avalanche cycle, with debris that travelled well into below treeline with some exceeding historical runouts.
On March 27, Parks Canada staff observed a natural size 3 persistent slab from a Lectern sub-peak running full path, and a size 2 cornice fall in the Churchill Range.
Up to 120 cm of new snow has accumulated along the Icefields Parkway since March 15, with 30-50 cm at Maligne. Recent moderate to strong winds are redistributing this snow. Below this a temperate & rain crust from the mid-March atmospheric river exists up to ~2300 m. A weak facet/crust layer is buried 70-170 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 150-220 cm, and Maligne is 80-140 cm.
Sunday
Flurries of snow with up to 8 cm. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
MondayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -11 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.
TuesdayA mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
