Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2025–Dec 17th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island, West Island.

Recent and incoming snow will improve coverage. For now, avalanches are limited to a few wind-loaded slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanches may be possible in steep alpine features where there’s enough snow to cover rocks and ground roughness.

There have been very few backcountry reports. If you head out, please share observations and photos on the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

We suspect 10 to 30 cm of new snow fell at upper elevations on Tuesday, with strong southwest wind forming some deeper deposits in the alpine. This snow fell on a very thin base: just 20 to 50 cm of rain-soaked snow above 1000 m and bare ground at lower elevations. The shallow snowpack continues to make travel and access challenging across most riding areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level drops from 1800 to 800 m as storm passes.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow overnight then another 5 to 10 cm of mixed precipitation during the day. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level increases from 1000 to 1500 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.