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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 28th, 2026–Jan 29th, 2026

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Ymir, Crawford, St. Mary, Kokanee, Retallack.

Assess for small wind slabs before committing to steep or extreme terrain.

Wind slabs may be reactive due to the underlying surface hoar.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new avalanches reported in over a week.

Snowpack Summary

By Thursday afternoon around 5 cm of snow could overlie the late January surface hoar/crust layer. This new snow will be accompanied by southwest wind meaning that the crust will likely remain on the surface on southerly aspects and deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below treeline features.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday
Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday
Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Problems

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.