Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Now is the time to avoid being on or below avalanche terrain. Very conservative decision making is required in the back-country OR riders can more safely enjoy the powder at the local ski resorts.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A road patrol on Highway 93 North showed evidence of a widespread natural cycle up to size 3.5 on all aspects and elevations. Large propagations with fractures stepping down to the mid and lower pack were observed.
Skihills reported numerous natural and explosive triggered avalanches.
Snowpack Summary
Recent storm amounts range from 25 cm (in Kootenay) to 75+cm at Bow Summit. This snow has been redistributed by strong southerly winds and sits over suncrusts on steep south aspects and firm wind affected snow elsewhere. A persistent layer of weak facets (Feb22/Jan 30 layer) is now buried down 40-100cm.
In shallower eastern regions, the mid and lower snowpack is mostly facets, while deeper western regions are more consolidated. Treeline snow depths range from 90-180 cm.
Weather Summary
A Pacific frontal system will track into southern BC on Tuesday. This will bring scattered flurries and moderate SW winds along the divide for Tuesday and Wednesday. A more organised system is forecast to bring 10-15 cm of new snow on Thursday.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
Problems
Storm Slabs
25-75 cm of storm snow since Saturday, and strong southerly winds, have created storm and wind slabs at all elevations. Greater amounts of snow fell in the northern forecast area (Bow Summit).
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
In many areas the storm snow has overloaded the persistent layers in the mid and and lower pack, resulting in very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Lots of snow available for transport and moderate to strong winds will create loose dry avalanches at treeline and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2025 4:00PM
