Avalanche forecast

Haines Pass

Apr 23 – 24, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Stormy conditions may form new slabs that could be touchy to riders.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent large avalanches released on buried weak layers in northerly alpine terrain. Similar avalanches could be triggered in the coming days.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    New slabs may build over the day with new snow and strong wind. These slabs will be particularly touchy where they rest on weak surface hoar crystals.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We've received a few reports of some recent large avalanches that likely released on buried weak layers (here and here). Most of the avalanches released on northerly alpine terrain.

Looking forward, new slabs may form during stormy conditions on Thursday. It will also remain possible to trigger large avalanches on northerly alpine terrain.

Please continue to share your observations via the Mountain Information Network. Thank you!

Snowpack Summary

Stormy conditions will bring around 10 to 20 cm of new snow by the end of Thursday. This snow will accumulate over a layer of surface hoar crystals on shaded aspects and a melt-freeze crust at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Strong wind may form deeper deposits in lee terrain features.

We have limited snowpack information, but this report suggests a generally weak lower snowpack with various potential layers of concern, which recently produced large avalanches.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 50 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

Regions covered