Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Mar 8 – 10, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Though we have gained more confidence in the snowpack in many areas, the potential remains for triggering a persistent slab avalanche in northerly alpine terrain, where the new crust is not capping over this weak layer.

With the high winds this weekend, the best skiing will likely be in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New wind slabs will likely form Friday afternoon and Saturday as the winds increase and redistribute the recent storm snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    This problem remains a concern on high northerly aspects where the surface crust is thin or non-existent.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs up to 30 cm deep are forming in the alpine and at treeline, new snow remains unconsolidated in sheltered areas. This sits on a supportive melt freeze crust, which exists everywhere except for north facing alpine terrain. The January drought layer is down 40 - 100 cm. Depth of snow at treeline averages 130- 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Mild temperatures continue with increasing winds through the weekend. See table below.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.

Regions covered