Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Jan 11 – 12, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Wind slab hazard will increase throughout the day on Sunday as the storm intensifies in the afternoon.

The persistent weak layer is becoming harder to find but surface hoar can still be found in isolated spots buried 60-100cm deep.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Be cautious as you transition in to open terrain, especially if the upper snowpack feels stiff and slabby.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A persistent weak layer is buried 60-100cm deep. This persistent weak layer is made up of surface hoar at treeline and below. Higher elevations have a buried crust on solar aspects which is acting as a failure plane at the same depth within the snowpack

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to whether buried persistent weak layers become active, triggering avalanches, with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

Two size 3 avalanches were reported in the highway corridor on Saturday . Reports of human trigged, size 1 wind slabs at treeline on Friday. Multiple Sz 2 Natural avalanches also observed Macdonald W.

Limited alpine observations over the last few days but neighbouring operations have reported skier triggered persistent slab avalanches up to size 2 on buried surface hoar or a crust.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 100 cm over the past week was accompanied by moderate to strong winds. This has formed wind slabs in the alpine and on exposed slopes at treeline.

Below this weeks storm snow, a layer of surface hoar is buried 60-100cm deep in sheltered areas at treeline & below. On solar slopes, the storm snow sits over a crust which is also acting as failure plan for human triggered avalanches.

The lower snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Tonight Isolated flurries, trace precipitation. Alpine Low -6°C. Winds SW 30 km/h gusting to 55. Freezing level (FZL) 1100m .

Sun Snow, 11 cm. Alpine high -4°C. Winds SW 35km/h. FZL 1400m.

Mon Heavy snowfall, 37 cm. Alpine High -2°C. Winds SW 35-45km/h. FZL 1700m.

Tues Flurries, 12 cm. Alpine high 1°C. Winds SW 30 to 50 km/h. FZL 2400m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

Regions covered