Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Jan 9 – 10, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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


Strong wind will continue to reshape the snowpack. Be cautious anywhere that looks extra deep or where the wind is actively moving snow.

A persistent layer remains a concern in this region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong westerly winds have formed new wind slabs at upper elevations.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A crust with facets buried 50 to 170 cm produced a widespread cycle of natural and human-triggered avalanches last week. Remote triggering and step-down potential continue to be a concern with this layer.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the fact that persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast.
  • Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Jan 4 to 8

  • No new avalanches reported but observations are limited.

Snowpack Summary

Strong westerly wind has blown 25 cm of recent snowfall into slabs in leeward alpine and treeline terrain.

A persistent weak layer formed in mid-December, consisting of a crust with weak facet and was the cause of a large natural avalanche cycle in the middle of last week. This layer is now buried 50 to 170 cm deep, depending on the aspect and wind loading.

In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains or depth hoar may exist at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.


More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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