Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Apr 17 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

The best riding will likely be found on high north facing terrain but this is also where triggering avalanches is most likely

Choose low consequence slopes and look for signs of instability

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs may remain reactive to riders. Avoid wind loaded areas.

  • Cornices

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

    Avoid travelling underneath cornices.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak layers from March and February will become less sensitive to triggering as the freezing level falls. These layers are most likely to be triggered on high north facing terrain.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Naturally and skier triggered, size 2 to 3, avalanches continue to be reported in this region. These avalanches have Generally occurred on northwest through northeast aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of recent snow has fallen over various crusts which are found up to 1800 m, and higher on sunny slopes. Southwest wind has redistributed soft snow in exposed areas, forming slabs. As the freezing level falls a new crust will likely form on the surface on all aspects and elevations except high north.

Three layers of note, currently exist in the mid-snowpack:

  • A layer of surface hoar and a crust that formed in mid-March is 50 to 80 cm below the snow surface.

  • Another layer of surface hoar that formed in early March buried 70 to 120 cm.

  • A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust from mid-February is buried 120 to 200 cm deep.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with around 5 cm of snow. 40 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

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