Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

Avoid north-facing alpine slopes, where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, numerous dry loose avalanches were reported. On some features, they gathered enough snow to become large.

Over the weekend, numerous natural and human-triggered avalanches, up to size 3.5, were reported at all elevations and aspects, many failing on the late January persistent weak layer.

On Sunday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 persistent slab avalanche on a NW slope at 2300 m near Kaslo.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of new snow sits on a 3 to 5 cm thick melt-freeze crust that is everywhere except north facing slopes above 2000 m.

A weak layer, composed of facets, surface hoar, or a crust, is found 20 to 60 cm deep. Another persistent weak layer, buried in late January, lies 50 to 110 cm deep. This layer is surface hoar, facets, or a crust, depending on the aspect.

The remaining snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy with 1 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Weak layers from January and February persist within the upper 100 cm of snow. Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with cooler temperatures; however, human triggering the persistent layers remains a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Wet loose avalanches may occur if the sun comes out. Especially on steep slopes facing the sun.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2025 4:00PM

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