Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength. Uncertainty is due to the complexity of the snowpack’s structure.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with clear periods, 30 km/h wind from northwest, alpine temperatures around -6 C, freezing level lowering to valley bottom.

MONDAY: Mainly sunny, 30 km/h wind from the northwest, alpine high temperatures around -5 C, freezing level at 900 m.

TUESDAY: Cloudy, light wind from the southwest, alpine high temperatures around -3 C, freezing level at 900 m.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with some flurries, light wind from the west, alpine high temperatures around -5 C, freezing level at 900 m. 

A few skier triggered avalanches of size 1 and one size 2 were observed on Saturday and Sunday. Two artificially controlled avalanches of size 1.5 and size 2 were reported on Saturday. The slabs were up to 50 cm thick, occurred on all aspects and released on a crust.

Several small (size 1) human triggered slab avalanches were reported on Tuesday and Wednesday. These slabs were between 10 to 30 cm thick and occurred on all aspects.

The past week delivered about 15-45 cm of snow, with the highest accumulations around Kootenay Pass. This snow has been blown around by southwest wind and sits above hard layers of wind pressed snow and crusts. There are reports of several layers 30-70 cm below the surface that could develop into avalanche problems in the future. These layers could be composed of facet/crust layers or surface hoar depending on aspect and elevation. Several notable snowpack test results were reported on these layers as well as a few avalanches. Snowpack depths are about 120 cm at treeline and below treeline is just reaching threshold depths.