Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Jan 17 – 18, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Expect increasing avalanche danger in the afternoon especially on steep south facing terrain in the alpine.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Storm snow that is resting on surface hoar and a crust is becoming stubborn to light triggers such as riders or skiers. Expect to find deeper deposit on north through to east aspect terrain.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Use caution on steep south aspect terrain features where snow is becoming moist and unconsolidated. As day time temperature rise and the sun comes out, expect avalanche triggering to become possible to human triggers.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
  • Uncertainty is due to rapidly fluctuating freezing levels.
  • The number, quality, or consistency of field observations is good, and supports our confidence.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, explosive testing near the Shames area, produced persistent slab avalanches up to size three. All other operators reported activity easing with cooler temperatures and observations of large avalanches 24 to 48 hrs, ( size 2 to size 4).

On Wednesday, a widespread natural avalanche cycle was reported by numerous operations, throughout all elevations and aspects as snowfall, rainfall and warming persisted.

Snowpack Summary

Cooling temperatures, have reconsolidated previous moist and wet surface snow, with widespread reports of a developing surface melt freeze crust. This new crust is at the surface in terrain exposed to the wind, with small wind slabs forming on lee aspect terrain.

At treeline, a very warm and wet surface snow has now become a melt freeze crust. Expect this crust to be supportive to ski and foot weight but possible for a snowmobile to penetrate it.

A layer of large surface hoar is buried 90 to 150 cm in sheltered treeline features. The mid and lower snowpack is well settled with no current layers of concern. Treeline snow depths throughout the region range from 250 cm to 450 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3100 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3200 m.

Monday
Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 3300 m.




More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.

Regions covered