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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2025–Dec 6th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Purcells, South Rockies, Dogtooth, East Purcell, Bull, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Strong winds at upper elevations may have created small isolated pockets of wind slab.

Assess steep slopes for dense or stiff snow before committing.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday and Thursday, a few size 1 wind slab avalanches were reactive to riders or explosives in wind-loaded alpine features. Riders were also able to trigger small pockets of dry, loose snow sluffing in steep terrain features at treeline and lower.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and above, up to 10 cm of recent snow sits on top of faceted snow or surface hoar. The upper snowpack is mixed: wind-affected surfaces in open areas and softer in sheltered spots, all sitting on a crust buried 20 to 30 cm deep from early November. Lower in the snowpack, there are several crusts, and in some areas a weak, sugary facets can be found near the ground.

Total snowpack depths are roughly 60 to 80 cm, tapering quickly at lower elevations.

In many areas, especially below treeline, there is not enough snow to smooth out surface roughness or reach the threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with flurries. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.