Avalanche forecast

Crowsnest North

Dec 15 – 16, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

New snow and strong wind will build slabs in lee areas through the day.
As the snow piles up, dial it back to simple terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New snow and strong wind will likely form new slabs as the day goes on.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A crust buried deep in the snowpack has proven reactive to large loads, particularly in steep, exposed terrain. A small wind slab avalanche may be enough of a load to step down to this deeper layer.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity has been reported since the warm and wet storm earlier this week. When several large persistent slab avalanches occurred.

If you've been out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Around 5 cm of snow has been blown around by strong winds and sits on a widespread melt–freeze crust, which is likely everywhere except high-alpine terrain.

A mid-November crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. Beneath it, the snowpack contains several additional crusts, and in some locations, a weak, sugary facet layer near the ground.

At treeline, snow depths range from roughly 50 to 100 cm, tapering off quickly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Cloudy. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Monday
Cloudy with 15 cm of snow. 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with 15 to 25 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 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.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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