Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - The snowpack structure is generally well understood. Uncertainty is due to extremely variable snowpack conditions reported through the region.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, clearing through the night. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light southwest wind. Freezing levels at or near valley bottom. Alpine low around -6 °C.

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Possible trace of snow expected. Light north wind. Freezing level around 1500 m. Alpine high around -4 °C.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Possible trace of snow expected. Light northerly ridgetop winds with some gusts to moderate in the higher alpine. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1250 m through the day. 

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Possible trace of snow expected. Light north ridgetop winds, trending to moderate at higher elevations. Freezing level at valley bottom overnight, rising to 1250 m through the day.

On Thursday near Golden, many small natural loose avalanches were reported that occurred during intense snowfall in the morning. Also one size 2 explosive triggered avalanche on a northwest aspect around treeline scrubbed to the ground and ran full path, around 200 m.

Evidence of a natural avalanche cycle in the size 2-2.5 range at all elevations has been observed in the southwest of the region. Some smaller natural soft slabs and skier-controlled wind slabs were also reported Wednesday. 

On Tuesday there was a remotely triggered size 2 storm slab avalanche in the west of the region, and some smaller wind and storm slabs reported elsewhere.

Snowfall amounts have varied substantially throughout the region with the southwest side of the Purcells getting the most snow, and areas around Golden getting a bonus 15cm Wednesday night through Thursday. Recent storm snow (20-50 cm) overlies a variety of old surfaces such as firm wind-pressed snow, sun crust on solar aspects, surface hoar, and potential cold weak crystals on shaded aspects.

An interface from mid-February is likely now down 40-60 cm. This layer was previously only reactive in wind-loaded terrain where a slab had formed but may become more problematic if covered with a more widespread cohesive slab.

Below that on sheltered north aspects, there is still a surface hoar layer being tracked that was formed in late January. Though there haven't been reports of recent avalanches on this layer in this region, it is still on the radar of many operations.

• If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Use small low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.