Chic-Choc Mountains

*** A special avalanche watch is still activated for areas outside our forecast zone ***

The risk of triggering wind slabs remains high! Choose places where the snow has not been affected by the wind.

Two avalanches were observed on the way to the Grande Cuve. A size 2.5 on an eastern slope and a size 2 on a southern slope. They appear to have occurred in the last 24 to 48 hours.

On the northern Gaspé coast, several large avalanches have been reported in recent days. These avalanches slid through the layer of facets at the base of the snowpack.

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

A thin layer of frost (3 to 6 mm) is present on the surface of the snowpack in some areas of our forecast zone, mainly in the McGerrigle (Mines Madeleine, possibly Ernest-Laforce). In the alpine and at treeline, the wind has sculpted the landscape, creating great variability. The landscape alternates between snowdrifts, hardened surfaces, eroded areas and snow accumulation. In areas sheltered from the wind, especially below treeline, this snow lies on a well consolidated mid-pack. However, a fragile layer of facets persists at the base. The height of the snowpack varies between 120 and 220 cm.

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

Thursday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind north, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -12.

Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. High -10.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -12.

Sunday: Cloudy. Accumulation 5 to 10 cm. Wind west, 10 to 30 km/h. High -8.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.