Avalanche forecast

East Purcell

Dec 28 – 29, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs have been reactive recently

Seek out good riding in sheltered terrain with no wind effect.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Shifting winds may have built wind slabs on various aspects at upper elevations. Carefully assess steep areas for potential slabs before committing.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A persistent weak layer from mid November may still be possible to trigger above 2100 m. This layer likely needs a heavy load like a sled, cornice fall, or wind slab stepping down to trigger it.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday:

  • Several size 1.5 to 2 naturally triggered wind slabs were observed in the alpine near Panorama on wind-loaded north through easterly aspects. (See photos)

  • Two size 1 cornices were triggered with explosives near Panorama.

On Thursday:

  • A naturally triggered size 2 wind slab was observed in steep alpine terrain off of Jackpine Mountain near Panorama

* If you are travelling in the mountains, please submit any observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow, combined with forecast moderate shifting winds, is expected to form wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

A persistent weak layer from mid-November, made up of a thick crust with overlying facets, and in some cases surface hoar, remains a lingering concern. In eastern parts of the region, it is buried around 110 cm deep, and up to 180 cm in western areas with a deeper snowpack. The likelihood of triggering this layer is low, but the consequences could be high.

Depth hoar is present at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and slopes above cliffs.

Regions covered