Selkirk Mountains

Most slopes are generally safe from avalanches.  Shallow pockets of wind drifted snow exist near and above the tree line in broad openings underneath ridgelines, on sidewalls of gullies, and on the backside of steep rollovers.  Be mindful of this small isolated hazard and use good travel habits if you choose to step into more complex or high-consequence terrain.

Conditions haven’t changed much since yesterday: fridged mornings, sunny skies and variable surface conditions. The upshot is that at mid and upper elevations stable snowpack conditions prevail with amble coverage for wide ranging recreation opportunities across the forecast region. This weather pattern presents an excellent opportunity to explore new terrain and expand into larger objectives. However, throughout your travels, attention should be focused on the upper portion of the snowpack, particularly in areas affected by wind.

The current primary concern is isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow that have formed denser wind slabs, most commonly below leeward ridgelines on East aspect slopes, but shifting wind to the north and east today and tomorrow should keep this on your radar around the compass rose. While this is an isolated hazard, it becomes more significant in steep, extreme, or complex terrain where even a small avalanche could cause dire consequences. These wind slabs can often be identified by a change in surface texture—look for denser, hollow-feeling snow or visual signs of wind effects, such as ripples or sculpted patterns on the surface.

In terms of weather, the presence of arctic air is continuously influencing the upper snowpack. While these changes are not driving the current avalanche hazard, they are setting the stage for potential instability when the next significant storm occurs. The prolonged cold has been zapping moisture out of the snowpack, causing faceting and weakening the bonds between snow grains. Additionally, surface hoar has been observed across all zones, continuing to develop under clear, cold nights. These evolving weak layers could become a focal point for instability when buried by future snowfall.

As you travel through the mountains, expect snow conditions to change depending on subtle aspect changes. South facing and solar aspects will have a more defined sun crust, whereas sheltered and predominantly North facing aspects harbor softer snow. Keep an eye out for small sluffs of facets in the most sheltered and steep slopes around the North side of the compass.

**We continue to receive intermittent reports of opening glide cracks and some failing naturally producing large to very large glide avalanches. Avoid traveling on or below slopes where a glide crack has opened. These types of avalanches are difficult to forecast when they will release.**