Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Apr 13 – 14, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for changing conditions over the day. Storm snow may be reactive to human triggers, particularly in wind affected features.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow may not bond well with old snow surfaces. Deeper and more reactive deposits are expected in lee/wind loaded terrain features.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Cornice failures are destructive on their own and often break farther back from the ridgeline than expected.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose wet avalanches have been reported this week. Moving forward we expect new snow to be triggerable by riders, and continue to be suspect of large, overhanging cornices.

Observations from this region are very limited. Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

By Tuesday afternoon, up to 20 cm of snow is possible at higher elevations across the Fernie area, southern Purcells, and southern Selkirks (near Nelson). Elsewhere, 5-10 cm is expected. Deeper deposits are expected to form in north and east facing terrain features. New snow likely sits over a moist upper snowpack or a crust.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally well-settled and strong in most areas, with numerous crusts throughout. Snowpack depth tapers rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline, favouring the east of this region. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Tuesday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow across most of the region. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 30 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 3 to 20 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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