Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid north-facing alpine and treeline slopes, as this is where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, up to size 3, occurred on all elevations and aspects, many failing on the late January persistent weak layer.
On Saturday, a skier remotely triggered a size 3 persistent. See MIN for photos and details.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 15 cm of new snow sits on a melt-freeze crust that extends to ridge tops on all aspects, except northerly slopes above 1700 m, where surfaces remained dry through the warm-up.
A weak layer formed in February, consisting of facets, surface hoar, or a crust, is found 30 to 60 cm deep. Additional weak layers formed in January are present within the upper 100 cm of snow, including faceted snow, crusts on south-facing slopes, and surface hoar in shaded terrain.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous southwest wind built wind slabs on lee north and east slopes. If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in very large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Natural avalanche activity has tapered off, but human triggering remains possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2025 4:00PM
