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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2026–Jan 12th, 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, Valhalla, Whatshan.

New snow and wind will be building fresh storm slabs, adding more load to an already reactive, persistent weak layer.

Don't let the fresh powder lure you into consequential terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle occurred last week, with very large avalanches up to size 3 reported. While activity has generally decreased, several avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Friday and Saturday.

The ongoing activity confirms a reactive weak layer with continued potential for remote triggering. Additionally, fresh stom slabs are expected to grow on Monday. Conservative terrain choices are strongly recommended.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of new snow on Monday, combined with strong southwesterly winds, will build fresh storm slabs. These slabs are expected to be most reactive in wind-loaded areas

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

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

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow on Monday night. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2800 m.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.