Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2025–Feb 19th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

*** A special avalanche watch is activated for areas outside our forecast zone ***

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE in the alpine and at the treeline. The best skiing and safety conditions are to be found sheltered from the wind, on gentle slopes below the treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Very limited observations, very few people in the mountains on Tuesday. A few signs of instability observed on our travels. No avalanches observed or reported.

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning, between 50 and 70 cm of snow fell, depending on the area. In areas sheltered from the wind, mainly below the treeline, this accumulation rested on a well-consolidated snowpack. However, a significant layer of facetted grains persists at the base of the snowpack.

The wind has strongly reshaped the landscape in the alpine and at the treeline, creating great spatial variability, even on the lee side. There is a marked alternation between large snowdrifts, hardened surfaces and eroded areas. The southern slopes seem to have been particularly favoured by snow transport, although our observations in alpine terrain remain limited for the time being.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

A high-pressure ridge brings calm after the storm

Tuesday evening and night: Cloudy, light snow. Wind northwest, 20 to 30 km/h. Low -6.

Wednesday: Cloudy. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -5.

Thursday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -4.

Friday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -8.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.