Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Jan 5 – 6, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Continued snowfall is building storm slabs. A natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next few days.

Minimize your exposure to overhead hazard, especially during periods of heavy snowfall or rapid loading from wind.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Snowfall, warm temps, and strong SW winds continue to build fresh storm slabs. These will be most sensitive to triggering where they overlie surface hoar and/or a sun crust (from the recent inversion).

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

A natural avalanche cycle is expected on Tuesday as storm totals accumulate.

A few small loose snow avalanches were observed in the steep terrain in the highway corridor over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45cm of storm snow is forecast to have accumulated by the end of day Monday. Storm snow sits over surface hoar size 3-8 mm at treeline on protected slopes. In the alpine, storm snow buries a breakable sun crust on steep solar slopes, and wind effect in open terrain.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled and right side up.

Weather Summary

Snowfall continues with 5-15cm a day throughout the forecast period.

Tonight Flurries, 5-10 cm. Alpine High -3°C. Freezing level (FZL) 1000m. Ridge wind SW 30-45 km/h.

Mon Scattered flurries, 5cm. Alpine High -8 °C. FZL 1100m. Wind SW 30-40.

Tues Snow, 16cm. Alpine high -9 °C. Wind SW 40-50km/h.

Wed Flurries,10 cm. Alpine high -10 °C. Wind SW 25 gusting to 55. FZL 600m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.
  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.

Regions covered