Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Dec 11 – 12, 2025Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 10 months ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

Heavy snowfall with strong- extreme wind over the past week has created a 40-90cm thick storm slab.

Storm snow needs time to settle. Don't let the improving weather influence your decision making.

Human triggered avalanches remain likely especially near ridgetop in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Periods of strong wind throughout the storm and extreme gusts on Wed night have transitioned recent snowfall in to a wind slab near ridgetop and in exposed alpine terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    A stormy week with periods of intense snowfall has formed a widespread storm slab with variable reactivity. Avoid exposing yourself to overhead hazard and give the new snow time settle.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control using explosives in the highway corridor has produced size 2-3.5 avalanches. These observed avalanches are running fast and traveling father then expected.

Another widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected in the Rogers Pass backcountry on Wednesday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 90cm of snow has fallen over the last week with periods of strong to extreme southwesterly wind. This has created a thick storm slab which will need time to settle.

Areas sheltered from the wind may have a layer of surface hoar buried around 100cm deep.

Weather Summary

Storm intensity tapering off towards the weekend.

Tonight Snow, 13cm. Wind W 40 km/h gusting 70, FZL (freezing level) 1200m.

Thurs Cloudy with Sunny periods. Trace snow. Winds W 25-45, FZL 1100m.

Fri Cloudy, scattered flurries. 5cm. Wind W 20-40 FZL 1000m.

Sat Isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. SW 35 gusting 65. FZL 1600m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Regions covered