Banff/Sunshine Village (BSV) is the only ski resort currently in operation in the Canada Rockies. In a wider scope, it is one of only two ski resorts currently open in all of Canada (Whistler/Blackcomb the other). Both resorts are reported to close on Monday, May 22 (Victoria Day). 

The forecast below is for Banff/Sunshine Village. Relating to surface conditions at BSV, the Divide Terrain Park was a happening place this past weekend with excellent coverage of the features and lots of smiles (and air, of course). Elsewhere, the rest of the upper mountain was skiing well, albeit afternoon runs were a tad bit mashed, with 32 runs offered. As of Monday, Teepee Town is now closed, leaving Standish, Strawberry, Angel, and Divide above the Village in operation.

Below: As you can see, the upper alpine slopes under Divide (and Angel) at BSV are still holding up quite well despite the heat.

 

Now for the forecasts… 

Monday - Friday: The dominant high-pressure over the Rockies will flatten slightly by late Tuesday allowing a weak trough over southern interior BC to destabilize the atmosphere. A moderate chance of a late afternoon or evening showers, or thunderstorms is possible Tuesday. Up to 4mm in rainfall possible. Instability sticks around on Wednesday, starting off with a mix of sun and cloud with a 40% chance of afternoon showers/thunderstorms developing. The ridge regains its hold on Thursday and builds into Friday bringing back mostly clear skies and mild afternoon temps. Alpine highs at 2200m will remain well above average all week with 18C on Monday and Tuesday, with 15C Wednesday and Thursday, and back to the upper teens by Friday. Generally, light winds all week, except gusty under thunderstorms. Freeze levels all week will be above the ridgetops ranging around 3500m in the mornings to 4000m in the afternoon.  

Below: To illustrate the accelerated snowmelt the Rockies have been experiencing so far in May take a look at the images of the snow stake at Sunshine Village. The first one is from April 30th and reads roughly 160cm. The lower image is from May 15th and reads 70cm. Around 90cm has melted off in just over 2 weeks. 

 

I think Saturday will hold onto the ridge for the last sunny and warm day of the ski season before a Pacific trough brings increasing cloud, along with chances of showers and slightly cooler temps on Sunday and Monday. This weather system looks fairly small, so I don’t anticipate much more than a few mm’s of rain, mainly on Sunday afternoon and evening. 

Next update on Friday May 19th will be my last forecast of the season.  Thanks so much for (still) reading!  

Powder Out, 

Bob 

May 22 BSV – SLUSH CUP! This year’s theme is “Under the Sea”  https://www.skibanff.com/play/events-calendar/2022-2023/slush-cup-may-23rd

 

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