Avalanche forecast

South Rockies

Dec 31, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Warming alpine temperatures and sunny conditions could increase the likelihood of avalanches throughout the day.

Small avalanches in motion could step down to much deeper weak layers.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Westerly winds have formed reactive wind slabs in exposed terrain at and above treeline.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3.5

    A crust with facets deep in the snowpack remains a concern. While the probability of triggering this layer is low, the consequences could be severe.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported, but observations are extremely limited in the region.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of recent storm snow continues to settle and stabilize. At treeline and below, this snow has buried a thin melt-freeze crust formed just before Christmas.

Strong westerly winds have redistributed recent snow into deeper deposits at higher elevations.

Near the bottom of the snowpack, a significant crust exists with associated faceted snow.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, with a chance of above freezing temperatures in the alpine.

Wednesday
Sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C, with a chance of above freezing temperatures in the alpine.

Thursday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.

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