Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 5 – 8, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

We will likely have heightened avalanche conditions for the next 48 hours with the increase in wind. Seek out sheltered areas for the best riding.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Winds are forecast to pick up through the day on Wednesday with lots of low density snow available to form windslabs.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    This problem is likely to exist in steep, sheltered areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed but visibility has been limited during the storm.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of new storm snow overlies the January drought layer which includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack has become weak and facetted.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

We have a slow warming trend over the next few days with winds increasing as well. See table for more details.

Check out the Mountain Weather Forecast for the most up to date information.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs 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