Better skiing might be found around tree line after a few days of wind, affecting a variety of aspects and elevations.
Be mindful of wind slabs in unexpected places.
Recent winds have built wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Winds have been variable in direction so watch for reverse loading. Avalanches may step down to the Deep Persistent Layer.
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.
Widespread wind effect in the TL and Alpine regions. Wind slabs sit on a very weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline. Valley bottom travel is difficult in the weak, loose facets.
No new avalanches observed during road patrol from Jasper to Saskatchewan Crossing January 22nd.
A couple of wind slabs up to size two were observed on Sunwapta Peak and Nigel Peak on the 19th.
Avalanche control near Parkers on Friday Jan 17th produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches stepped down to the Deep Persistent layer.
FridaySunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
SaturdaySunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-20 km/h.
SundaySunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High 1 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10 km/h.
