Watch for wind slabs from recent strong southwest winds and new snowfall, and remain especially cautious of the deep persistent weak layer in thin, rocky areas.
For the best skiing and riding, look to sheltered areas.
Previous winds from various directions has created winds labs across the region. Up to 15cm of new snow by Wednesday morning accompanied by moderate to strong SW winds will create new wind slabs in lee features.
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.
Natural deep persistent avalanches have been occurring periodically in shallow rocky areas. The last ones observed were:
Jan 2- A natural 2.5 deep persistent avalanche was observed at Parkers Ridge, likely triggered by cornice fall.
Jan 4- A natural 2.5 deep persistent avalanche was observed on Mt. Morden Long.
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 Icefields Parkway area is 140-200cm and in the Maligne area average depth is 100cm.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries (trace). Alpine temperature high of -12 °C. Ridge wind west, 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries (trace). Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -10 °C. Ridge wind west: 35 km/h.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -9 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 45 km/h.
Friday