Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 31st, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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If you venture out in the cold, even a small issue can become a big problem.

Avoid areas where the wind is actively depositing snow.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported Wednesday or Tuesday. On Monday, a few size 1 to 2 natural avalanches occurred on northeast alpine slopes.

There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches, but uncertainty remains. Snowpack test results and whumpfing suggest it may still be triggerable in areas that are shallow and rocky.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow fell between Monday and Wednesday. Expect lesser amounts of new snow the further inland you go. It fell with strong southwest wind that has switched to strong northeast. Watch for reverse loaded slopes hiding pockets of hard windslab.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.

At the highway elevation the snow is 120 cm deep and in the alpine there is more than 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly clear. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -27 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 50 to 70 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -30 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 50 to 70 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 50 to 70 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The early December weak layer may still be triggered in shallow, thin-to-thick areas, or with large loads like a cornice or avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Fresh windslabs are building on non-typical areas with northeasterly winds.

Aspects: South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 1st, 2025 4:00PM

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