Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2025 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Avoid areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin and triggering a weak layer is more likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

  • Sunday: Skiers were involved in an avalanche in the East Boulder Creek area. Check out This MIN report for more details.

  • Saturday: One large (size 2) wind slab was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine.

    Operators in the area are still concerned about a weak layer of facets over a crust from early December that has produced large avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Previous strong winds have scoured terrain at treeline and above on all aspects. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the surface of wind affected terrain in many areas.

In sheltered terrain 30 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a crust and layer of surface hoar from late January.

Another layer of surface hoar was buried near the middle of January and can be found 50 to 100 cm deep.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December varies in depth from 100 to 300 cm. This layer remains a concern in this region.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 0-2cm of snow. 10-20km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature-10 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 8cm of snow. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

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.
  • Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong east winds have reverse loaded slopes.

In some areas this wind slab may be sitting on weak surface hoar crystals buried in mid January.

Aspects: North, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A weak layer buried 100 to 300 cm remains a concern.

Avoid shallow rocky areas where the snow transitions from thick to thin and triggering this layer is more likely.

If triggered the resulting avalanche would be very large and destructive.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2025 4:00PM

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