10-15 cm of fresh snow from the weekend has improved skiing, but wind slabs remain a concern, especially in wind-exposed terrain.
Frigid temperatures persist this week—be prepared if you are heading out.
Recent 10-20cm of new snow and winds formed windslabs in lee features particularly at ridgetops. They appear to be stubborn to trigger but be sure to assess this before entering wind effected terrain. Watch for windslabs on all aspects as winds have been variable in direction.
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Last weekend's patrol up Maligne and the Icefield noted very little new activity. One loose dry size 1.5 observed on Saskatchewan North avalanche path. On Thursday, Marmot Basin triggered a size 2 avalanche failing on the deep basal layer using explosives. Several natural wind slab avalanches to size 2 as well as smaller loose dry avalanches were observed in the Icefields area on January 29th.
10-15cm of fresh soft snow sits on a variety of surfaces depending on location, including melt freeze crusts, sun crusts, hard wind slabs, and soft faceted snow. These overlie a generally weak and faceted mid-pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are faceting and surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at tree line, and thins quickly below.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: High -22 °C. Ridge wind east: 10 km/h.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -19 °C, High -15 °C. Ridge wind northwest: 10-20 km/h.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine temperature: Low -20 °C, High -14 °C. Light ridge wind.
