South Columbia

Avalanche hazard is low, it's appropriate to ride big terrain.

Use normal caution, apply good travel habits, and reduce your exposure to cornice and glide slab hazard when possible.

High

• We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.

Over the past 5 days several natural cornice falls have been observed in the region. These cornices did not trigger avalanches on the slopes below.
Some natural glide slab releases have also been observed, these hazards should be given a wide berth.

A crust, with surface hoar above it, extends up to at least 2000 m on all aspects and to mountain tops on solar aspects. On north aspects in the alpine, dry wind-affected snow may still be found.

Cornices are large and overhanging.

Weak layers from mid December and early January are still found in the upper and mid snowpack. Triggering these layers is unlikely, except with large loads or in thin snowpack areas.

Check out this MIN Report from our field team at Frisby

Friday Night
Clear skies. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 50 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.