Avalanche forecast

Sea To Sky

Feb 5 – 6, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs continue to build and are reactive to human triggering.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds have varied in direction over the past few days, be aware when transitioning into wind affected terrain.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control in the Duffey area recently produced several large wind slab avalanches.

Over the weekend, numerous storm slab avalanches were reported, most were artificially triggered by humans or explosives, size 1-2. Some were triggered remotely or sympathetically.

These are failing at the crust or facet layer that currently exists beneath the storm snow.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow fell over the weekend. Generally, sheltered snow quality has been excellent, with wind redistribution occurring near ridgetops.

This recent snow is bonding poorly to an underlying weak layer formed during the January drought. Depending on aspect and elevation, the layer may exist as a hard crust, faceted grains and/or surface hoar.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and bonded with no other layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear. 5 to 15 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. Calm. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Friday

Increasing cloudiness. Calm. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at alpine and treeline elevations.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Regions covered