Avalanche forecast

Sugarbowl

Jan 30 – 31, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Incoming storm snow over a layer of surface hoar and crust will increase danger to High by the end of Friday.

Avoid travel in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Up to 40 cm of new storm snow over the crust and surface hoar combination will push the snowpack over a tipping point 

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past week.

We expect new snow building over surface hoar will begin a cycle of natural and human triggered avalanches on Friday.

If you are getting out, please share observations like avalanches, weather and riding conditions to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of new snow is expected to fall through the day on Friday, adding to the 10 to 20 cm of recent snow on a layer of surface hoar over a crust.

This new snow will be accompanied by moderate to strong southwest wind, meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features

The lower snowpack is well settled.

Check out this MIN from the Pine Pass for more details.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow at treeline, with rain in the valley bottom. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday
Cloudy. 15 to 40 cm of snow at treeline, with rain below 1300 m. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche danger is expected to increase throughout the day.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

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