Avalanche Forecast

On Wednesday, west of Invermere, a large (size 2) naturally triggered slab avalanche was reported in south facing alpine terrain, along with a few small wind slab avalanches in extreme terrain.

If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Expect to find wind-affected surfaces in exposed treeline terrain and above.

Sheltered areas still have soft snow and good riding.

A layer of facets or surface hoar buried in early December may be found down 50-100 cm, or as shallow as 30 cm around Invermere. It seems that this layer has gained strength and is no longer a significant problem.

The snowpack base consists of a thick crust and facets or depth hoar in many areas.

Friday Night

Clear. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Saturday

Sunny. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 2000 m. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible above freezing layer above 2500 m. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.