Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Dec 12 – 13, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Buried weak layers need time to adjust to the new snow load.
Gather info in simple terrain, free from overhead slopes, before increasing your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    It's uncertain how the storm snow is bonding to the old layers. Assess in your local area before committing to large terrain features.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Stormy conditions have limited avalanche observations, but we suspect that natural avalanches were releasing during periods of heavy snow loading on Wednesday. Natural avalanche activity is expected to have slowed after the storm with the temperature dropping. Riders may still trigger avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 80 cm of light, dry snow has fallen this week. In the middle of the snowpack is a layer of surface hoar and/or faceted grains. The layer of facets may have a hard melt-freeze crust underneath. It's uncertain whether this layer will be a concern going forward. In thin snowpack areas, faceted grains may extend to the ground.

Average snow depths at treeline range from 100 to 170 cm and decrease rapidly at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow . 50 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy with 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.


More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
  • Use small, low consequence slopes to test the bond of the new snow.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

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