Bulletin d’avalanche

Kootenay Boundary

Jan 10 – 11, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archivé · expiré 9 months ago

Danger d’avalanche

Mon
Tue
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
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Points saillants

A persistent weak layer remains a primary concern for the region.

It's a good time to stick to conservative terrain and avoid overhead hazards.

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible - Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    Recent and forecast moderate to strong westerly winds may be forming new slabs in leeward terrain at upper elevations.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1.5–3

    As old storm snow consolidates, human-triggered avalanches may continue to be reactive at all elevations, especially where a surface hoar layer is present. Remote triggering is a concern, avoiding overhead hazard is recommened.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred earlier in the week, with very large avalanches up to size 3 reported. Numerous human and remote-triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were also observed. While activity has decreased since Thursday, several size 2 avalanches continue to occur.

This activity confirms a reactive weak layer with ongoing potential for remote triggering—conservative terrain choices are strongly recommended.

Snowpack Summary

A weak surface hoar layer buried 30 to 80 cm is the primary concern in the region. It has been the failure layer in many recent avalanches. On south-facing slopes, this layer is a sun crust.

Recent and forecast winds are forming wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations.

A melt-freeze crust can be found down 100 to 150+ cm. It is thin or absent in alpine terrain but thicker and more widespread at treeline and below. Triggering this layer is considered unlikely at this time.

The lower snowpack is generally well-bonded and consolidated, with multiple crust layers present.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 cm of snow. 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Régions couvertes