Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Jan 1 – 2, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Reactive wind slabs linger in exposed terrain. While unlikely, small avalanches in motion could step down to much deeper weak layers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Westerly winds have formed reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain at and above treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3.5

    A crust with facets deep in the snowpack remains a concern. While the probability of triggering this layer is low, the consequences could be severe.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

A recent, small wind slab avalanche was observed in very steep, extreme northeast-facing alpine terrain.

Otherwise, no new avalanches have been reported, but observations are extremely limited in the region.

Snowpack Summary

In exposed alpine and treeline areas, wind-affected surfaces persist. On south-facing slopes at higher elevations, a thin sun crust is likely to form overnight.

Approximately 40 to 80 cm of recent snow continues to settle above a melt-freeze crust that is thin or absent in alpine terrain, while thicker and widespread at treeline and below.

Near the bottom of the snowpack, a significant crust exists with associated faceted snow.

Check out the AvCan field teams MIN report for a more detailed description of conditions in the Mear Lake area.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.

Regions covered