Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Avalanche Canada, Avalanche Canada

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Slab conditions are the main concern right now. Use extra caution anywhere that the surface snow feels firm or slabby.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a skier-triggered size 1 avalanche occurred around treeline on a south aspect in the North Monashees. The avalanche failed on buried surface hoar, 25 cm deep.

Since an avalanche cycle at the start of February, reports of avalanche activity have continued to decrease.

Snowpack Summary

Surface snow is facetting under cold temperatures, and surface hoar continues to grow. Wind-affected surfaces can be found in exposed terrain, while snow remains soft in wind-sheltered terrain.

A weak layer of large surface hoar crystals, faceted snow, and sun crust was buried by roughly 30 to 50 cm of snow in late January. This covers a relatively weak mid-pack with numerous other layers of faceted grains, surface hoar, and/or crusts that formed throughout January.

The lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Clear skies. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Various weak layers exist in the top metre of the snowpack. These layers could be triggered anywhere a cohesive slab of snow exists above them. Where the snow remains soft, the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is low.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2025 4:00PM

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