Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Jan 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

We have received around 100cm of new snow in the past week. In some areas this new snow may overlie weak surface hoar crystals or a thin crust.

Stick to conservative lines until the new snow has had time to settle and bond.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Be cautious as you transition in to open terrain, especially if the upper snowpack feels stiff and slabby.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Steady snowfall mixed with occasional strong-moderate winds has formed widespread fresh storm slabs. At treeline and below these may overlie surface hoar or a sun crust (from a previous strong temperature inversion).

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches where observed on Thursday.

On Wednesday field teams observed soft storm slabs to be reactive to human triggers, as well as a couple of fresh natural avalanches up to size 1.5.

On Tuesday a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred. Numerous natural storm slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed. Also, artillery avalanche control in the highway corridor produced numerous size 3-3.5 avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall totals to 85cm were accompanied by moderate to strong winds. This storm snow has buried a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline & below. On solar slopes the storm snow buries a suncrust (created by a temperature inversion).

There are no persistent weak layers in the mid or lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tonight Isolated flurries. Alpine Low -14°C. Ridgetop winds moderate W.

Fri Scattered flurries (5cm). Alpine high -8°C. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom. Moderate SW wind.

Sat Sun & cloud mix. Alpine Low -6 °C, High -3 °C. FZL 1200m. Winds moderate-strong SW.

Sun Snow (~20cm). Alpine Low -7 °C, High -3 °C. FZL 1200m. Winds light SW.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Don't let the desire for deep powder pull you into high consequence terrain.

Regions covered