Avalanche forecast

Blue River

Mar 27 – 28, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The snowpack is untrustworthy after going through dramatic weather fluctuations. Conservative low-angle routes are recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

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

    Cornices may fail and trigger slabs on the slopes below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Persistent weak layers in the snowpack have the potential to produce large avalanches. We have limited information about the problem in this region, but enough to recommend choosing low-angle terrain at this time.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New snow could form fresh slabs, especially on wind-loaded slopes along ridgelines.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Limited reports indicate a natural avalanche cycle over the past few days, with avalanches up to size 2.5. This includes numerous wet loose avalanches and cornice failures, a few storm slabs in alpine terrain, and some persistent slab avalanches near Valemount.

While natural avalanche activity is expected to decrease on Friday, the snowpack remains unstable and untrustworthy.

Snowpack Summary

Convective flurries may deposit 15 to 30 cm of dry snow at upper elevations, but accumulations will be highly variable. This snow will fall on a wet, rain-soaked upper snowpack. A frozen crust will likely form across most terrain, except possibly on north alpine slopes.

The primary weak layer of concern is a surface hoar, facet, and crust layer from early March, buried 50 to 100 cm deep. While its distribution and sensitivity remain uncertain, it has been highly reactive in the neighbouring Monashee regions.

The lower snowpack is likely strong and bonded in most areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 1 to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. Calm. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday

Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
  • Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.

Regions covered