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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 8th, 2025–Feb 11th, 2025

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

Waterton Lakes, Waterton.

Cool temps will persist for the next few days, make sure you come prepared with extra layers. Keep new windslabs in mind when traveling in lee areas or at ridgecrest.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

On Friday the field team observed evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from the past week, numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 1.5 in steep terrain and a few wind slab avalanches up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed into windslabs by moderate to strong SW winds. The recent storm snow remains unconsolidated below treeline and in sheltered treeline areas. This overlies the January drought layer which includes facetted snow on northerly aspects or a melt freeze crust below treeline and on steep solar slopes into the alpine. Generally, the snowpack has become weak and facetted.

Snowpack depths at treeline range from 50 - 120 cm.

Weather Summary

Cool temperatures and light snow continue over the next few days with the arctic air pushing down. See table below for details.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

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.