Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 17 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

We are entering the spring mountain season. The main problems will be surface instabilities, daytime warming, and looming overhead cornices.

Unfortunately the ice climbing scene is grim with the exception of those willing to get their alpinism on.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate ridgetop winds are likely forming new, small windslabs in immediate lee features in the alpine.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    The recent storm snow is moving easily on the underlying crust.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A few skier triggered loose dry avalanches up to size one were observed by the field team on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of new snow with higher amounts in eastern areas of the park. There is a melt freeze crust below the new snow everywhere except northerly aspects in the alpine. Generally the lower snowpack is well settled with the January drought layer down 50-130 cm and a total tree line snowpack depth of 130-200 cm.

Below treeline the snowpack is rapidly decreasing and partially buried hazards and unsupportive snow may exist.

Weather Summary

Snow tapering Wednesday night with clear skies by Friday. See photo for a more detailed 3-day forecast.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.

Regions covered