Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Dec 29 – 30, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Enjoy the blue skies and fresh powder, but remain wary of wind slabs on all aspects in leeward terrain, especially near ridgetops.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Variable winds have built wind slabs on lee slopes at upper elevations. Carefully assess steep areas for potential slabs before committing.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

Saturday & Friday

  • A few size 1 to 2 slabs, both natural and human-triggered occurred in several areas across the region. Generally, they occurred in wind-loaded north through east facing terrain.

Thursday

  • Several naturally triggered small storm slabs were reported near Whitewater.

Wednesday

  • Numerous storm slabs up to size 2 were observed across the region.

Snowpack Summary

At upper elevations, variable winds have blown snow into wind slabs in leeward areas.

20 to 40 cm of settling storm snow overlies a rain crust from Dec 24th, which goes as high as 1700 to 2100 m in the region.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally well-settled, but contains multiple crust layers with some overlying facets observed.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday
Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
Sunny. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.



More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

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