Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Mar 6 – 7, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Continue to choose simple, mellow terrain. Signs of buried weak layers may be hard to find.

Be especially cautious on high north-facing slopes, and on sunny slopes during warming.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak layers exist 40 to 100 cm deep. These layers remain a concern where there is no thick, supportive crust under the new snow.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Wet loose avalanches will become likely if the sun is out for prolonged periods. Avoid overhead hazard from sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since Sunday.

Looking forward: Avalanches on buried weak layers may be difficult to trigger, but if one is triggered, it is likely to be large and destructive.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15 cm of new snow is settling over a widespread melt-freeze crust that exists everywhere but high north-facing slopes.

Two concerning weak layers are present in the mid snowpack: facets/surface hoar or a crust from mid-February buried 40-60 cm, and faceted snow/surface hoar/crust from late January buried 60-100 cm. These layers were active during the warm-up and are most concerning at upper elevations, where a thick and supportive crust under the new snow hasn't stabilized the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. 5 to 10 km/h north wind. Freezing level falling to between 1000 m and valley bottom. Treeline low around -6 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 10 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m. Treeline high around -2 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 1900 m.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level falling to valley bottom overnight, rising to 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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