Avalanche forecast

Crowsnest North

Jan 14 – 15, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

There is uncertainty on how prolonged warming and sun will impact the snowpack on Wednesday.

Don't let good weather lure you into dangerous terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snowfall and extreme southwest wind have built wind slabs. Warm temperatures and sun may increase the reactivity of these wind slabs.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Prolonged warming and sun may continue to produce wet loose avalanches from steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, skiers triggered small (size 1) wind slabs in alpine terrain.

On Tuesday, skiers triggered wet loose avalanches (size 1) from all aspects and elevations. Natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were observed from steep alpine terrain.

Looking forward to Wednesday, sun and warm temperatures will increase the likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and warm temperatures have created a wet snow surface to at least 2400 m. Strong southwesterly winds have caused widespread wind effect in open terrain, forming wind slabs, sastrugi, and scouring windward slopes.

In parts of the region, a buried surface hoar layer may exist roughly 40 cm below the surface.

The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, with a thick melt-freeze crust present at treeline and below, but generally absent in the alpine.

Near the bottom of the snowpack, a crust with facets is considered unlikely to trigger, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 mm of rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 3500 m.

Thursday
Mostly sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Friday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 400 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

Regions covered