Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 14 – 17, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
No rating
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. The best skiing will be found on high northerly aspects. 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

    Old windslabs on standard lees and and new wind slabs on solars over a crust with upslope winds and incoming precip.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Peak reactivity will be during peak solar input on Tuesday. Likely not a problem during times of cloudy skies later in the forecast period.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose avalanches to size 1.5 observed over the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

There is a surface crust on all solar aspects and settled snow on polar aspects in the alpine. Generally the lower snowpack is well settled with the January drought layer down 50-130cm and a total tree line snowpack depth of 130-200cm.

At treeline a robust crust is on the surface.

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

Weather Summary

Warm and sunny Tuesday, cooling off on Wednesday with some snow. 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

  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

Regions covered