Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–1.5
Small wind slabs may linger on northerly aspects below alpine ridge tops.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapNorth Columbia
Apr 23 – 24, 2025Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired last year
Avalanche danger
Fri
Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Riders may still trigger wind slabs in the alpine.
Periods of low danger can be a good time to check out larger objectives.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Tuesday, there was a natural wet loose avalanche cycle in the recent snow, mostly small but some up to size 2.
On Monday, several skier-triggered size 1 wind slabs were reported on northerly aspects below ridge tops.
NOTE: Observations are currently very limited.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 25 cm of recent snow may be found at upper elevations. This snow overlies a robust crust everywhere except northerly aspects in the alpine.
Most terrain has undergone strong melt-freeze cycles, but the snowpack remains slightly more complex on north-facing alpine slopes, where buried weak layers may still be present.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
Friday
Sunny. 5 to 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 2700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.