Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 18 – 19, 2025Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

A buried weak layer is best managed with conservative terrain choices.

Expect dry loose avalanches to get bigger as they move downhill.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A layer of surface hoar buried 20 to 60 cm has been reactive where a slab sits above it.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Dry loose avalanches can gather more snow as they move downhill and become large. Manage your group so you aren't above one another.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, whumpfing was reported in several spots as well as a small, rider-triggered persistent slab. Read more about it here.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25 cm of recent snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a persistent weak layer from late January. This layer is either a crust on sun-exposed slopes or surface hoar on all other aspects. It is most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

Regions covered