Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Haines Pass, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Avoid wind loaded areas and only expose one person at a time to avalanche terrain.
Conditions can change rapidly in spring, read about the 4 likely scenarios here.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A small wind slab was seen on Monday from a northwest facing slope at treeline.
Avalanche activity has tapered since the weekend, and so have the number of observations.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 cm of recent snow redistributed by southerly wind lies over a crust that goes up to 1250 m in the shade and up to mountain top on slopes that get the sun. Good riding can still be found in sheltered slopes away from the sun.
The mid-pack is generally well settled, with crusts buried around 50 cm, and another near 130 cm deep.
The lower snowpack is facetted, but hasn't been a problem.
Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet and losing strength.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 40 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 50 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Riders may trigger slabs in wind loaded areas. Strong wind may form new wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5