Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 16th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Assess for new wind slabs as you gain elevation
Small wind slabs could be sensitive to rider traffic due to the underlying weak layers
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
At the time of publishing, no new avalanches were reported in the past 6 days.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 20 cm of new snow has fallen with northeast wind, forming new wind slab on south and west aspects. In sheltered terrain this new snow may overlie soft, faceted snow or surface hoar. In exposed terrain it will overlie a sun crust or wind-affected snow.
A weak layer from late January, buried 40 to 60 cm deep, is a hard crust in many areas but consists of facets or surface hoar on sheltered upper-elevation slopes. This layer has become reactive in snowpack tests.
A crust from December is buried 80 to 120 cm deep, with facets around it in shallow snowpack areas. Otherwise, the lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with 0 to 4 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 2 cm of snow. 10 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with up to 5 mm of mixed precipitation. 25 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Newly formed wind slabs could be found in exposed terrain on all aspects due to variable wind over the past few days. These slabs may be sensitive to rider traffic due to the weak layers underneath.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A widespread weak layer is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This layer may be triggerable where the snow feels stiff or cohesive above it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 17th, 2025 4:00PM
