Kananaskis

Watch for variable winds that don't match the forecast, today had an unexpected wind pattern that loaded slopes from the north.

Tomorrow will be cloudy with flurries, but no significant accumulation. Winds will remain westerly, but pick up early afternoon with 60km/hr winds expected at summit elevations. Temperatures will be between -16 and -11.

Some forecasts are suggesting another storm on Saturday. We will see if this happens, but be aware that hazard levels are based on this expected snow.

Nothing new today.

Thankfully the crust has been buried with about 10cm at valley bottom and up to 30cm at treeline. It also felt like the crust was a bit softer, or facetted out. Our ski edges could cut into it which helped the ski quality. At about 2150-2200m the crust predictably disappeared and the snowpack felt quite good in sheltered areas. Once in more exposed treeline areas, the windslabs appeared. At the moment immediate lee areas at treeline feel the spookiest. Overall the alpine looks very wind affected, especially on north aspects, but there are some sheltered areas up against the major faces where the wind affect is less.

• Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
• Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.