North Rockies

Carefully assess for wind slab before committing to a feature. Even a small avalanche or injury could be very consequential due to very cold temperatures.

Monday night: winds will be generally light except the north of the region where winds will be moderate to strong from the north. Low of -30 with some light flurries.

Tuesday: Some flurries ending around noon with moderate to strong northwest windsin the north and light in the south. high of -23 at 1300m.

Wednesday: light to moderate southwest winds at treeline with flurries throughout the day. High of -24 at 1300m.

Thursday: winds returning to northerly with flurries throughout the day. High of -20 at 1300m.

On Thursday our field team observed some natural avalanche activity up to size 1.5 in steep or extreme terrain in the treeline while in the southern part of the forecast region.

Explosives on Thursday produced wind slabs up too size 1.5 in treeline and alpine start zones with limited propagation.

West winds in the north could have reloaded some east slopes. Wind slab will still likely be found on west facing slopes in the south. As the winds shift to the north we will see unusual wind loading and potentially wind slab on all aspects.

A surface hoar layer up to size 4 was recently buried, it is not yet a problem.

Snowpack depth at treeline typically ranges from 100-250 cm, with the shallower value mainly on the eastern side of the range and the deepest snowpack around Renshaw.

• Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
• Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
• Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.
• Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.