Avalanche forecast

Sugarbowl

Feb 1 – 2, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 months ago

Avalanche danger

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

Wind slabs can be found in exposed areas, and storm slabs sit over surface hoar in sheltered areas.

Back off if you see signs of instability like avalanches, cracking, or whumpfs.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Continued moderate south-southwest winds are building wind slabs from the storm snow.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Up to 40 cm of new storm snow has formed a reactive slab over a widespread crust. 
    In sheltered treeline and below treeline features where surface hoar is present, the storm slab will be touchier and remote triggering is possible.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the past week. Signs of instability like shooting cracks and whumpfs were reported in the Pine Pass on Thursday.

New snow accumulating over the surface hoar is expected to have triggered a cycle of natural and human-triggered avalanches recently. Observations have been limited due to poor visibility.

Please share observations like avalanches, weather, and riding conditions to the Mountain Information Network.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.
  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of new snow at treeline sits on surface hoar over a widespread crust. With warm temperatures throughout the storm, this likely fell as rain as high as 1600 m in some areas of the region.

This new snow was accompanied by moderate to strong southwest winds, meaning that the crust has likely remained on the surface of southerly aspects, while deeper deposits will be found on north and east aspects. The surface hoar is largest on sheltered treeline and below-treeline features.

The lower snowpack is well settled.

Check out this MIN from the Pine Pass for more details.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m

Sunday
Cloudy. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 mm of precipitation. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1700 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.
  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.

Regions covered