Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 6th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
As winds increase watch for fresh wind slab development at upper elevations.
Look for sheltered areas where snow is preserved and good quality riding can be found.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday explosive control work produced slabs up to size 2. While winds have varied, avalanche activity has been noted on all aspects except east.
On Wednesday a size 2 to 2.5 persistent slab avalanches was rider triggered, on north aspects around 2200 m. Check out this MIN report for further details from near Rossland (photo below).
If you head out in the backcountry, let us know what you are seeing by submitting a MIN report!
Snowpack Summary
Strong easterly winds have stripped and scoured open features, forming dense, wind affected deposits of snow. In sheltered areas, 30 to 50 cm of settling snow exists. Check out this great MIN report from Kootenay Pass.
Below, a thin crust or layer of surface hoar can be found. Reactivity to riders has been noted in areas where the surface hoar is preserved.
Weak layers of surface hoar or facets and a crust continue to persist in the mid-snowpack and can be found down between 50 and 120 cm.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and well-bonded.
Check out this video on State of the snowpack for further details.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h northerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C.
Tuesday
Increasing cloud. 15 to 30 km/h westerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy with light flurries, 1 to 2 cm. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -4 °C.
Thursday
Mainly clear skies. 10 to 25 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures around -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Problems
Wind Slabs
As west winds increase fresh wind slabs will develope on lee slopes. Wind slabs are most sensitive to triggering when they are newly formed. Look for signs of wind transport as you move through the terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This layer is most likely to be a concern in the north of this forecast region, and more likely to be triggered in areas where the snowpack is thin or shallow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 7th, 2025 4:00PM
