Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Feb 17 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A buried weak layer is best managed with conservative terrain choices.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A layer of surface hoar buried 20 to 60 cm has been reactive where a slab sits above it.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Dry loose avalanches can gather more snow as they move downhill and become large. Manage your group so you aren't above one another.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, numerous small wind slabs were triggered by riders as well as many dry loose avalanches and sluffs.

On Wednesday, a rider remotely triggered a persistent slab avalanche (size 2) on an east-facing slope just above 2000 m. (See photo below)

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow sits on a layer of surface hoar from the middle of February, or a thin sun crust on steep south-facing slopes.

Below that, 20 to 60 cm of faceted snow overlies a persistent weak layer from late January. This layer is either a crust on sun-exposed slopes or surface hoar on all other aspects. It is most reactive where a slab has formed above this layer. You can read more about slabs in this blog.

The lower snowpack is generally well settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 3 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

Sunny. 10 to 25 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

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