Sunday could prove to be a great day for skiing!
Human triggering of persistent weak layers is more likely in areas East of HWY93N and the Lake Louise backcountry compared to areas to the West.
Strong winds Thursday, Friday and moderate winds Saturday, accompanied by new snow has built wind slabs in lee features in the alpine. Use caution when transitioning from solar aspects (with a crust) to northerly alpine aspects. Dry loose avalanches are possibility as new snow accumulates.
A slab up to 80 cm thick sits on the weak facetted lower snowpack. On all but high north aspects, recent sun crusts and the March 27 rain crust cap this slab, providing some security. Use caution in higher, thin snowpack areas or where these crusts are weak or breaking down with heating.
No new avalanches observed or reported Saturday.
On Friday, a remote wind slab avalanche on St. Nicholas size 2.5 was reported that stepped down to deeper layers and occurred out of steep unsupported terrain.
10-40 cm of snow sits atop crusts on all aspects except north-facing alpine slopes. Windslab can be found on lee aspects. The integrity of the snowpack related to human triggering is based upon the strength and supportiveness of the surface crust. In areas with no surface crust, concern remains due to the weak basal facets, which have plagued the mid and base of the snowpack all winter. Likelihood of human triggering is higher in this region, particularly in Eastern areas
Saturday night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Precip: Trace. Alpine temps: Low -10 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 15-35 km/h.
Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind west: 20-30 km/h. Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High 0 °C. Ridge wind west: 20-35 km/h. Freezing level: 2400 metres
