Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Apr 3 – 4, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

If the sun comes out, wet loose will quickly become a problem.

Avoid being underneath slopes or cornices that are in the sun.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Cornices are unpredictable and are more likely to fail in warm periods. Avoid travelling on or under them.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    If the sun comes out, it will likely trigger wet loose avalanches on steep sunny slopes, especially in areas where new snow is seeing sun for the first time.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, numerous small wet loose avalanches were reported. Both natural and rider-triggered.

Near Fernie, several large (size 2) storm slabs were triggered with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

A new surface crust has likely formed on slopes that face the sun. Around 10 to 20 cm of new snow fell on Thursday, which sits on a thin melt-freeze crust.

A thick crust is buried 30 to 40 cm deep, which makes it unlikely to trigger any weak layers that persist below it in the upper snowpack.

The mid and lower snowpack is strong in most areas. Snowpack depth tapers rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2100m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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