Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Dogtooth, East Purcell, Purcells, West Purcell.
Seek out terrain sheltered from the wind for the softest snow and the lowest avalanche danger.
Use caution in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep, rocky slopes with shallow snow cover.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, near Bugaboo Provincial Park, a large (size 3), explosive triggered deep persistent slab avalanche was reported in south facing alpine terrain. Other explosives in similar terrain produced smaller results.
Also, southwest of Golden, very small rider triggered wind slabs were reported, plus one small (size 1.5) naturally triggered slab on a northeast aspect.
If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find wind-affected surfaces in exposed treeline terrain and above.
With very little recent snowfall, fresh wind slab formation has been minimal. Small pockets may be reactive in isolated areas, particularly where they sit atop a layer of surface hoar or facets from early January, 20–40 cm deep.
Sheltered areas still have soft snow and good riding.
A persistent weak layer of facets buried in early December is on average 60 to 90 cm deep. Near Invermere, this layer may only be buried 30 cm.
The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets or depth hoar in many areas.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Clear. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Friday
Sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are expected to be most reactive where they overlie facets or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer remains a concern in areas with a shallow snowpack, particularly on steep, rocky, slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3