Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Mar 13 – 14, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

For best riding and lowest hazard, seek out low-angled, sheltered terrain where the snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    New snow combined with southwest winds has built fresh wind slabs on lee slopes. Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets is buried 40 to 80 cm. The greatest concern for triggering lies in areas where a thick, supportive crust is absent near the surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small size 1 wind slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed in the Crowsnest on Thursday. Snowpack tests done by our field team east of Elkford suggest that the persistent weak layer remains triggerable. Avalanches on the persistent weak layer are becoming less likely to trigger, but if they do, they can be large and highly destructive.

Recent reports have been limited. If you are visiting the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall of 5 to 10 cm has likely formed fresh wind slabs near ridgetops on leeward slopes facing north through east, driven by Thursday’s southwest winds. Below 1900 m and on sun-exposed slopes, the new snow rests atop a surface crust left by previous warm temperatures and solar exposure.

The region’s overall shallow snowpack is defined by a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January, now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer triggered large avalanches earlier in March, and remains reactive in snowpack tests. The greatest concern lies in areas where a thick, supportive crust is absent near the surface, increasing the potential for instability.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with trace amounts snow possible. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, with up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with up to 4 cm of snow. 15 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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