The best riding and lowest hazard is in areas that haven't been wind affected.
Watch for pockets of wind slab on various aspects as you transition into exposed terrain around ridgelines.
Watch for pockets of wind slab on all aspects in exposed terrain and around ridgelines due to recent variable winds.
Alpine features are the most likely culprits for wind slabs, but exercise some caution in exposed treeline features with stiff snow as well.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Few clouds, light to moderate northwest winds. Alpine low of -20.
FRIDAY: Sunny with a few clouds, light to moderate westerly winds, increasing in the late afternoon. Alpine highs of -10.
SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, moderate to strong southwest winds, alpine high of -5.
SUNDAY: Increasing cloud in the afternoon. Moderate southwest wind, could reach extreme in the high alpine.
On Thursday the field team saw no new avalanches in the Crowsnest area. On Wednesday there were some small isolated wind slabs reported from reverse loaded features on the Alberta side of the region. On Tuesday the field team reported evidence of a natural wind-driven avalanche cycle (likely from Monday), with avalanches in the size 1-2 range in the northern Elk Valley.
The 10-30 cm of most recent snow has been redistributed by wind from various directions over the last week and formed some wind slabs in unusual places. This latest load sits over old firm wind-affected snow in open areas and hard sun crusts on solar aspects.
The snowpack below is generally well consolidated, with a crust/facet layer found near the bottom of the snowpack. It is currently considered dormant but could become active later this season. Check out the forecaster blog for more information.
