Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 3rd, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Fresh, reactive wind slabs may be evident in wind-loaded areas, while dangerous weak layers hide deeper in the snowpack.
Choose sheltered, low-consequence terrain.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Large natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches have occurred in the past week on the weak layer buried in early December. The most concerning area has been in the Goat Range. This problem is starting to improve but deserves patience and continued vigilance. Watch this recent State of the Snowpack video for more details.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find 20 to 50 cm of settling snow in sheltered areas and pockets of wind slabs in exposed areas at upper elevations. On sun-affected slopes, soft snow covers a melt-freeze crust.
A concerning layer of facets, crusts, and/or surface hoar is buried 60 to 110 cm. It will most likely be a problem on north through east aspects between 1700 and 2300 m.
Treeline snow depths range from 100 to 180 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries, up to 3 cm of new snow. 5 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of new snow. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 5 to 15 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- This avalanche problem is difficult to trigger, but would have serious consequences.
- Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
- Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
Sporadic large rider-triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to occur. They have been most reactive on north through east slopes between 1700 and 2300 m.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Recent easterly winds have formed fresh, reactive wind slabs in a reverse loading pattern. Avoid wind-loaded areas, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 4th, 2025 4:00PM
