Avalanche forecast

Vancouver Island

Dec 24 – 25, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Stick to conservative terrain and minimise overhead hazard. Winter is here, but new snow needs time to stabilise, particularly in wind affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs may continue to be reactive to human triggers, especially in wind affected features where deeper and more reactive slabs likely exist.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
  • Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, naturally triggered size 1 storm slabs were observed, and loose dry sluffing in steep and sheltered terrain features. Larger avalanches are likely in higher elevation features.

Backcountry reports are very limited. If you head out, please post any photos or observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Snow continues to accumulate, with many areas seeing 90 to over 130 cm of recent snow over a melt-freeze crust, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded terrain at treeline and above.

Early-season hazards remain a concern, now concealed beneath the new snow, and will continue to be until the snowpack settles and becomes more supportive.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 600 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow, with the greatest amounts expected in the south. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Regions covered