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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 7th, 2026–Jan 8th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Wind slabs have formed at all elevations and remain possible to human-trigger.

Continually assess surface conditions and back off if the snow feels dense or stiff.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

A few small wind slab avalanches were reported in the south of the region that had formed further downslope due to high wind speeds.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme winds have stripped southwest alpine features and developed wind slabs low in the terrain and in lee and cross- loaded features. In the Elkford area a surface hoar layer can be found down 40 cm.

The mid-pack is wind pressed and consolidated with a melt-freeze crust that is thin or absent in alpine terrain, while thicker and widespread at treeline and below.

Near the bottom of the snowpack, a crust with facets deep in the snowpack remains on our radar, particularly in areas with a thinner snowpack.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Friday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °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.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.