Fresh snow has improved ski conditions, and also formed wind slabs on lee slopes and isolated storm slabs on the March 20 crust.
Avalanche danger is gradually decreasing. However, it’s still wise to be cautious in larger terrain while assessing how reactive the remaining layers in the snowpack are.
20-40 cm of snow with strong SW winds last week formed wind slabs in alpine and treeline lee areas. The slabs are generally predictable but may extend further downslope than expected.
Below treeline, storm slabs on the Mar 20 crust have formed in areas like Kootenay where we received more snow.
A facet/crust interface from Jan is buried 70–180 cm deep. An extensive natural cycle occurred on this layer last week. We still see some hard, sudden test results at elevations above the Mar 20 rain crust (~2300 m). Large triggers like cornice falls or surface avalanches may trigger this layer.
Small wind slabs triggered by explosives, up to size 1.5, were reported by the Lake Louise and Sunshine ski areas on Friday.
One natural loose dry size 1.5 from Thursday was reported in steep terrain in the Sunshine backcountry.
Small storm snow avalanches failing on the March 20 rain crust were reported in Kootenay on Wednesday.
15-40 cm of new snow fell last week, with strong SW winds creating wind effect in open areas, and wind slabs in lee areas. This snow fell on the Mar 20th rain crust, which exists below 2100-2300 m. Above this crust, various buried sun crusts exist on solar aspects, extending to higher elevations.
The January 24th facet layer is buried 70–180 cm deep at treeline and in the alpine, with some tests still producing hard, sudden results.
A few cm of snow on Friday night, then a mix of sun and cloud on Saturday. Convective flurries may result in larger accumulations in some areas. Freezing levels will climb to ~1800 m. Treeline temperatures stay steady around -5°C, with light to moderate SW winds.
Sunday - A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate SW winds, and treeline temperatures between -5°C and -9°C.
