Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Jan 8 – 9, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

In the mountains, conditions are stable, snow cover is highly variable, and the danger of wind slabs remains very isolated in alpine terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Insulated wind slabs in preferential loading areas could be reactive in alpine terrain.

Confidence

High

  • Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
  • The snowpack structure is generally well understood.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow has been heavily affected by westerly winds. In sheltered areas, there is 20 to 30 cm of light snow on the surface. Facets are developing on the December 20 melt freeze crust, which is between 30 and 50 cm deep.

Due to the wind, snow distribution is very uneven in alpine terrain and near treeline: some slopes are almost bare, while others have significant accumulations of wind-blown snow.

The average snow depth at mid-mountain ranges from 60 to 100 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

Thursday evening and night: Cloudy. Northwest wind 12 mph. Low -14.

Friday: Sunny and cloudy. Chance of freezing rain and/or snow up to 2 inches in the evening. South wind 18 to 31 mph. High 32.

Saturday: Snow up to 15 cm. Wind from the west 10 to 50 km/h. Low -13.

Sunday: Snow up to 5 cm. Wind from the east 10 to 50 km/h. Low -10.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Regions covered