More snow than expected

Quick report

samirsomji · Jan 31, 2026 · Elkford East

View on map
Observation photo 1Observation photo 2Observation photo 3

Quick report

Stayed Away
alpineSlopes
Riding Quality
ok
Snow Conditions
crusty, powder, windAffected
Avalanche Conditions
avalancheConditionSnow, avalancheConditionSound

Went out north of sparwood today aiming to ski some steeper lines but backed off due to reactive wind slab hazard in TL and ALP. 8cm HN redistributed by strong W wind has formed wind slab up to 40cm deep in TL and ALP. No natural avalanches observed. Several whumps and shooting cracks from areas of deposition. Warming has created a 3cm breakable temperature crust in areas that were previously soft. SH still stands in scoured areas and where it has been buried by new snow it is mixed in with a layer of coal dust. Whumphing occurred typically 3-4 steps onto a loaded pocket and shooting cracks propagated across the entire loaded area. Start zones in alpine lee features look to be capable of producing size 2 avalanches.