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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2026–Jan 11th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Ymir, Crawford, Kokanee, Retallack, Valhalla, Whatshan.

A reactive persistent weak layer remains a primary concern for the region.

Start with simple terrain and gather information before committing to bigger features.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
  • The number, quality, or consistency of field observations is good, and supports our confidence.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred earlier in the week, with very large avalanches up to size 3 reported. Numerous human and remote-triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were also observed. While activity has generally decreased, several avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Friday.

This activity confirms a reactive weak layer with ongoing potential for remote triggering—conservative terrain choices are strongly recommended.

Snowpack Summary

A weak surface hoar layer buried 40 to 90 cm is the primary concern in the region. It has been the failure layer in many recent avalanches. On south-facing slopes, this layer is a sun crust.

Up to 10 cm of new snow is forecast for Sunday. Combined with moderate to strong ridgetop winds, these conditions will build fresh slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations.

A melt-freeze crust can be found down 100 to 150+ cm. It is thin or absent in alpine terrain but thicker and more widespread at treeline and below. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely at this time.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and consolidated, with multiple crust layers present.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 0 to 5 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 3200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.