Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 4th, 2025 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada 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

Last week, several natural and rider-triggered wind slab and persistent slab avalanches were reported, up to size 2.5. These avalanches have mainly occurred in north-to-east facing alpine and treeline terrain.

Although no recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer, it remains reactive in test pits, and professionals in the region are still concerned about it.

Snowpack Summary

5 centimeters of snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on all aspects to 1600 m. Previous strong southwest winds built stiff wind at the alpine and treeline.

A weak layer of surface hoar or facets is found 20 to 50 cm down in many areas. A second weak layer, found down 60 to 90 cm, consists of surface hoar/facets and/or a hard crust. These persistent layers remain a concern, with the potential for large step-down avalanches.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy skies. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level drops to valley bottom.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 4 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 40 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with light flurries, 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 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.
  • Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak layers persist within the upper 90 cm of the snowpack. Avoid shallow areas where triggering these layers is more likely. Natural avalanche activity has decreased; however, human triggering of persistent layers remains a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 5th, 2025 4:00PM

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