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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 3rd, 2025–Jan 4th, 2025
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Badshot-Battle, Goat, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla.

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.

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.

Avalanche 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: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

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: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2