Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Dec 31, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Wind and snow are in the forecast which means heightened avalanche conditions.

If there is more than 30 cm of new snow where you are riding, consider the avalanche hazard to be HIGH.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Wind and new snow have likely formed fresh and reactive slabs. Slabs may sit over weak layers, increasing reactivity.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
  • Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

We are aware of an emerging avalanche incident in the Tumbler Ridge area on Tuesday. Further details are not yet available, but will be provided when possible.

Prior to this, no new avalanches had been reported, but observations have been limited. We expect storm slabs to be triggerable by riders, especially in the west of the region with further snowfall and wind.

Snowpack Summary

A broad range of new snow amounts are present through the region, with isolated areas getting up to 40 cm of snow. This snow will be redistributed into deeper deposits in alpine at treeline terrain by strong southwest wind.

A prominent crust, formed in mid-December, is now buried 60 to 100 cm deep. This crust extends up to 1800 m near the Pine Pass area.

In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains or depth hoar may exist at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow. Isolated areas may get up to 40 cm. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 300 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. up to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C. Freezing level 0 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered