Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 4th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Winds are increasing the load on slopes, use extra caution when transitioning into wind affected terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, numerous storm slab avalanches were reported size 1-2 on all aspects and elevations. They were triggered naturally, by skiers, vehicles and explosives. Some were triggered remotely or sympathetically. Slabs were up to 60 cm deep and ran on a crust or facet layer beneath the storm snow.
Snowpack Summary
50 to 80 cm of snow fell over the weekend. This snow was initially blown around by southeast winds, which have recently switched to outflow winds.
This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.
The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Clear skies. 15 to 25 km/h outflow ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
Mainly sunny. Light south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Friday
Increasing cloudiness. 10-20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
- Conservative terrain selection is critical; choose gentle, low consequence lines.
- Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm snow is beginning to settle and form slabs at more elevations. These slabs sit over a weak layer and remain triggerable by riders.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Outflow winds are continuing to build slabs on lee slopes. Take caution when transitioning into any wind affected terrain as winds have varied since the storm.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 5th, 2025 4:00PM
