Avalanche forecast

Kootenay Boundary

Dec 17 – 18, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable

Highlights

An intense storm with lots of snow and wind is incoming.

Avalanche danger will increase as the snow falls.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Assess how the new snow is bonding to the crust. Avoid wind loaded slopes where deep slabs may be possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small storm slabs were rider-triggered on Monday. They ran on the new crust that's just below the surface.

Snowpack Summary

The incoming storm will likely drop significant snow onto a widespread rain crust from Monday. This crust extends above 2000 m, early reports are saying as high as 2400 m.

Below the surface crust, the mid-pack is likely moist and well settled.

A crust from mid-November is buried in the lower third of the snowpack and has sugary, facet crystals above it. This layer seems to be improving, but may remain in high alpine terrain.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night
Cloudy. 15 to 30 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Wednesday
Cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Friday
Mostly sunny. 2 to 3 cm of snow overnight. 15 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.

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