Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Apr 21 – 24, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

We are entering the spring mountain season. The main problems will be surface instabilities, daytime warming, and looming overhead cornices.

Unfortunately the ice climbing scene is grim with the exception of those willing to get their alpinism on.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

  • Loose Wet

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

    The reactivity of this problem will depend on solar input, the snow surface can quickly heat up when the sun comes out at this time of year.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed over the long weekend.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm of new snow sits on a crust on solar aspects. Around 20 - 30 cm of dry surface snow on high northerly aspects. Generally the lower snowpack is well settled with the January drought layer down 50-130 cm and a total tree line snowpack depth of 130-200 cm.

Below treeline the snowpack is rapidly decreasing and partially buried hazards and unsupportive snow may exist.

Weather Summary

Relatively low freezing levels with winds calming and sun shining Tuesday, snow possible for Wednesday. See photo for a more detailed 3-day forecast.

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

Regions covered