Avalanche forecast

East Purcell

Dec 23 – 24, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Conditions will change with elevation and wind exposure. Reactive slabs remain a concern in wind-loaded features, but sheltered terrain holds great riding conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation. Watch for active wind transport, and back off slopes with hollow, drum-like sounding snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Triggering the surface hoar/facet/crust layer is most likely above 2100 m. This layer is unlikely to be affected by a single rider and may fail under larger loads, such as a cornice fall or snowmobile.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
  • Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed on Sunday. If you are travelling in the mountains, please submit any observations or photos to the Mountain Information Network.

On Friday near Invermere, an explosive triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab on a north-facing treeline slope, failing on a crust 80–110 cm deep. Over the weekend several rider triggered wind slabs were reported up to size 1.5 on north facing slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 cm of fresh snow is expected by Tuesday morning. This falls over 30-50 cm of wind affected, settling snow that is generally bonding well to the crust below, which is present up to approximately 2100 m.

A thick mid-November crust is buried 70–110 cm deep in eastern terrain, and up to 180 cm in areas with a deeper snowpack. In most areas, faceted grains overlie the crust. Specific, sheltered terrain features have surface hoar present on or near the crust.

Depth hoar (large, weak crystals) are present at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 600 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

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