Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Dec 29 – 31, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 9 months ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
Early season

Highlights

Test the reactivity of the new snow as you move through the mountains.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The new snow will be accompanied by winds that will promote snow transport. Our uncertainty concerns the underlying bed surface, since several north-facing slopes were bare of snow before the storm. Wind slabs will be reactive if they settle on slopes that were previously covered with snow.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity was observed or reported.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Between 20 and 30 cm of new snow is forecast between now and Tuesday evening. The melt-freeze crust from December 20 will then be 30 to 50 cm deep. Snow cover is very unevenly distributed in the mountains due to recent wind events. There is considerable spatial variability, ranging from bare rocky slopes to wind-blown snow accumulations.

Conditions remain typical for the beginning of the season: there are numerous obstacles on the ground.

Weather Summary

A winter storm will hit the Gaspé Peninsula on Monday evening and bring 20 to 30 cm of snow by Tuesday evening.

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

Monday evening and night: Snow, at times heavy. Accumulation of 15 to 25 cm. Wind from the southeast at 60 to 100 km/h. Low of -4.

Tuesday: Snow. Accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Wind from the southwest at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -2.

Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind from the southwest at 20 to 30 km/h. High -18.

Thursday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 4 to 6 cm. Wind from the south at 30 to 50 km/h. High -10.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles, especially below treeline.

Regions covered