Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Forecasts are for use by experienced backcountry travelers in uncontrolled sidecountry and backcountry terrain. These forecasts and conditions do not apply to open, in-bounds terrain at ski resorts, which is subject to avalanche control by local resort ski patrol.
Avalanche Rating
Considerable (3)
Reverse wind-loading of Alpine start-zones, coupled with the fact these fresh slabs sit upon a weak drought layer, may catch riders off-guard.
It might be time to choose more conservative objectives. Read the forecasters blog "Shifting your Mindset" for more info on navigating our current snowpack.
More Detail
To get the complete forecast with additional graphics and details, please view the Parks Canada Zone forecast provided by Parks Canada.
Snowpack Discussion
Funky variable winds have caused widespread wind effect. This wind effect is most prominent in the alpine & treeline but does exist BTL in areas affected by localised downflow.
20-40cms of recent storm snow has buried a weak layer of surface hoar, facets and/or suncrust (Jan 30).
The midpack is either firm, wind pressed surfaces or low density sugary snow in sheltered areas.
The Jan 7th layer is down 50-80cm, comprised of surface hoar and/or a thin crust on steep S aspects.
Avalanche Activity
Natural avalanche activity has eased.
With fresh slabs perched atop a weak layer, human triggering is a very real possibility. Neighboring operations are reporting rider & remote triggered avalanches on the Jan 30th layer.
A sz 2 wind slab was triggered by a skier part way down Forever Young, resulting in injuries.
A sz 1.5 wind slab on the Ravens was observed while flying to the above accident.