Highwood Pass
Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 28th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 27th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 26th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 25th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 24th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 23rd, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 22nd, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 21st, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 20th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 19th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 18th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 17th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 16th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 15th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 14th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 13th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 13th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Mar 12th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 11th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 10th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 9th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Mar 8th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs, Loose Dry.
Published: Mar 8th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 7th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs, Wind Slabs.
Published: Mar 7th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 6th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 5th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 4th, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 3rd, 2025Avalanche Forecast
Problems: Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs.
Published: Mar 2nd, 2025Highwood Pass
Short story: skiing/riding is not reasonable at Highwood pass.
Long story: I hiked Highwood Peak (2700m) in mountain boots no gators and then did Ptarmigan Cirque in trail running shoes.
Avalanches: numerous old small size 1 slab and loose dry from 25-2600m north facing terrain below Highwood Peak (above the traverse trail that goes from parking lot to Pocaterra zone. I suspect the slabs were 'sluff slabs' as the slabs all initiated below rock faces where snow sluffs off and piles up.
Snow: There's an average of 15 cm of snow. Wind loaded alpine features are above threshold and avalanches are possible. All other areas (Below Tree Line, and non loaded alpine) are below threshold for avalanches. Snow surface BTL in shaded areas is dry and loose. Snow surface ranges from 10mm Surface hoar in open BTL areas, to loose cold facets, to wind hammered hard slab in alpine to moist/wet snow on steep west/south which will be a sun/temp crust when it cools off.
More snow is needed before skiing/riding is reasonable.
neilwarrenskiguiding,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:38PM
Highwood / Arethusa conditions
Hiked up Little Arethusa. HS of about 10cm near parking area that increased with altitude but it’s quite bare as you would expect. Wind was strong at times with lots of transport. Old and new wind slabs but nothing problematic - not enough snow in the trees either if you were thinking about that.
Party of two seems to have made an attempt at going up on skis today but it looked horrendous - at least they got a free early season base grind …
bryan.daneau,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:38PM
Ptarmigan Cirque
My late report, forgot to post this last week...
We went to Highwood Pass and first tried the nearest Highwood Pocaterra Cirque. Snow was only good in the dense trees on the approach trail. Open areas - no good snowbase - we punched through to grass and roots.
So then we crossed highway 40 , skinned up the rocky Ptarmigan Cirque trail to treeline. Heard 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 as we skinned up across wind-packed snow there but we skied a gentle slope in a wind-lee area and got a few turns down to a steep gully then followed a snowboard track along the gully where snow conditions were shallow but decent. Quickly found a rocky creek bed down near the highway side and returned to our car.
geoff.chiddell,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:38PM
Arethusa Cirque
Trees: ~40cm of snow. Pockets of powder in denser trees where the snow remained shaded. Areas of sun penetration created a 2cm crust with faceted snow underneath. By 11 am the areas in the sun became very sticky and heavy.
Treeline: ~30cm of snow. Wind affected with a 3cm breakable crust. Difficult skiing.
Alpine: 0-40cm of snow. Bulletproof crusts in spots with mostly 3cm breakable crust. West slopes were stripped of snow from previous winds. Pinwheeling from high temps on Friday on south facing slopes. Saturday's heat softened the crust making skiing punchy.
Sfreiberg,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:37PM
Sharks and crusts
A good walk on skis, looking for sharks in the Pocaterra area. There are many. Average snow depth is 40cm, but not overly supportive. Creeks and drainages are poorly covered with water still running. Lots of rocks and roots sticking out on the summer trail.
mtnwitch,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:37PM
Highwood Pass
Lots of hoar frost in the parking area of Highwood Pass today (up to 2cm plates). We hiked the cirque and in hindsight would have carried snowshoes to use at TL+ (punchy after solar warming). HS variable depending on wind effect from 10cm to up to 55cm w varying depth of mostly non supportive crust. I found the pack to be unconsolidated but there was a lack of facets where I checked. While it’s pretty … I gave myself a good foot massage on the sharks once ATL.
As a reference in the one photo… that is my wife’s (small) finger beside the frost.
Note, much less frost (amount or size) once you hit the trailhead and above.
todd_allison,
Wednesday 29th November, 2023 9:36PM
Highwood is in 😎
<p>The trail has certainly been broken, there's 25cm of fresh snow, and I got no results on the ct... What more could you possibly want? (Maybe enough snow to properly perform one?)
</p>
logandavidparker,
Monday 2nd October, 2023 8:15AM
Rae attempt
<p>Tried to ski the N line on mt Rae (not rae glacier) but got skunked for a couple reasons. Mainly the line wasn’t filled in and wasn’t skiable but also the overnight re freeze wasn’t quite as cold as we would have liked however we didn’t get up higher than 2400m. Didn’t probe around as there wasn’t much snow so no info there. Highway 40 is clear up to elbow lake at least. The trail to the lake is still fairly snowy and we skinned the last half. Travel from the lake is ok it’s fairly snowy up there but the surface crust wasn’t quite enough to hold a person.</p>
bensoneff,
Thursday 11th May, 2023 9:40AM
Storelk, Highwood, Last Call.
<p>Finally some good skiing at Storelk. There is a size 2 Na slab on NE aspect of storelk in the fan. It's visible from the highway. A couple size 1 deep slabs triggered from dry loose above on the fans on east aspects. No evidence of instability on south aspects but hard predict the persistant Slabs. No wind effect below 2500 but some cornice growth at mountain top.</p>
wardsbd,
Tuesday 29th November, 2022 6:15PM
Highwood Bowl I - Whumpfs
<p>Lots of groups in the area & some good MINs already shared. Rode a few aspects throughout the day with the last being Pocaterra ridge proper which, as others have mentioned skied really nicely.
Initial lap was the first open area of the Highwood bowl (as pinned). Lots of rocks persist and hit quite a number. The burried crust was more significant on this west aspect and facetting more prominent below it. Experienced several spooky whumpfs on an open 25ish degree slope and quickly transitioned to search for the better conditions every other group found. Thin & varied ground cover on this slope contributed to the eeriness & precariousness of the slope & instability. </p>
Jaret Foster,
Tuesday 29th November, 2022 2:15PM
Highwood - Windslab
<p>In Highwood / Pocaterra area this large fracture line was visible yesterday (Monday) along with signs of a couple other larger sluffs/small avalanches out of steep terrain. About a week ago we had a large whoomph on the fan to the lookers left of this feature with the propagation on what we thought was a Windslab. At that time (7ish days ago) there was about 10-15cm on top of that Windslab which certainly has more snow now after the recent storm. </p>
tim,
Tuesday 29th November, 2022 10:15AM
Storelk Glades
<p>Skied the glades of Storelk. In protected areas found 20-40cm of storm snow in a soft slab overlying a sun crust on south aspects and thin hard wind slab on open northerly aspects. These layers are in turn are overlying of varying depth of facets and some surface hoar in sheltered areas. Minimal wind affect within the open trees at treeline, although the north east aspect alpine terrain beyond the glades appeared quite loaded. Did experience a whumpf and crack approaching ridge crest on mellow terrain on an isolated feature in a small open area at treeline. Fantastic skiing on the storm snow within the glades, fun day out. </p>
Youngbloodben,
Tuesday 29th November, 2022 8:15AM
Highwood and Pocaterra Ridge
<p>No signs of instability on all aspects around Highwood pass yesterday. Every slope we rode was well covered with very few sharks lurking, much more powder to be slayed before the highway shuts down. Get after it </p>
gliddon3,
Tuesday 29th November, 2022 5:15AM
pocatera
taniyan8000,
Monday 28th November, 2022 10:15PM
Stormy Highwood
<p>Observed recent debris runout of a size 1.5-2 avalanche off headwall into alpine bowl. Did not propagate a larger slab avalanche.
It was very stormy (high winds and snowing) for 30mins today.
Alpine NW aspects were wind stripped and SE aspects loaded where we skied. Fresh snow was 40cm deep in alpine decreasing to 20cm lower down. </p>
WhiteSprinter,
Monday 28th November, 2022 9:30AM
Little Arethusa
<p>New snow made for good powder skiing. Still grazed a few rocks just above treeline but otherwise there was a good base under the new snow. Skiied the mellow slopes treeline and below treeline (south-western aspects). Saw 3 other groups skiing this area. We stayed away from the alpine slopes of Little Arethusa as wind had left them barren. No instability noted on the aspects we skiied treeline and below.
Was snowing heavily when we left so the Highwood Pass ski conditions should be improving but with increased avy risk. Three more ski days before the road closure.</p>
akcullin,
Monday 28th November, 2022 9:30AM
Little Arethusa
<p>Careful, take your time getting into your turns and be very cautions of rocks. I caught a pretty good one had a hard fall. Very unexpected thought I was taking it easy.
Snow is thin and very unpredictable, changing from hard crust, with loose facets underneath, sun baked, and wind effected snow.
Some observed loose avalanche across the valley on steep runouts but not enough snow or pitch in arethusa area that we observed.
There are some turn to be had out there, just a reminder to take it slow this time of year.</p>
kieranwarmstrong,
Monday 21st November, 2022 9:30AM
pocaterra ridge
HyunHo Cho,
Saturday 19th November, 2022 9:30AM
Ptarmigan
<p>It's skied out. Not much else I can say. The new snow didn't help</p>
ken.edg,
Thursday 17th November, 2022 9:32AM
Arethusa - totally tracked out
<p>We snowshoed Little Arethusa today - but man, never seen so many tracks all over the place in both Arethusa and Highwood Pass. Everything that seemed to have a bit of snow had tracks in it. Just posting this to save you some gas - find another spot to ski. At least 5-6 cars with skiers / riders trying to get something - I was super happy to have snowshoes on today as skiing would’ve really sucked …</p>
bryan.daneau,
Monday 14th November, 2022 9:30AM
Highwood
<p>Much different snowpack over the last week in Highwood due to wind transport and lack of new snow.
Skied N face slopes only. Variable snowpack with non-reactive isolated windslabs in cross-loaded areas. Probed 100cm in loaded areas with as little as 20cm along ridge features.
Overall, good turns but sharks still lurking!</p>
Preem,
Sunday 13th November, 2022 9:30AM
Storm mountain
<p>Decent in protected north facing aspects, maybe 80-90cm in spots. Very thin in others. Hit some rocks. Still a good day out but early!</p>
hurleyldave,
Saturday 12th November, 2022 9:30AM
Highwood Ridge Roadside Gullies
<p>Had a fun day lapping some roadside gullies below highwood ridge. Good snow with only a few sharks lurking. Some cross loading starting to appear due to winds which has formed some soft slabs 2-5cm thick (very soft, no prop). Did a few ski cuts on some wind loaded convexities and didn’t get a result. The snowpack seems to just be faceted pow in non wind effected areas.
Some cornice development on the top of the ridge.
Hoar Frost 2-3cm in valley floor in the morning, which was mostly gone by the afternoon due to sun and wind.
Overall a fun day, looks like there is lots of untouched stuff left so have fun and be safe out there!</p>
coleg.anderson9658,
Friday 11th November, 2022 9:30AM
Meh
<p>Good exercise and fresh air
Riding unremarkable
Very thin and sharky
Wait a few more dumps
Lots of urine on skintracks</p>
Hamburger Helper,
Monday 7th November, 2022 9:30AM
Shark hunting
<p>Went snowshoeing to explore terrain for upcoming ski touring. Snowpack was better than expected but (gently) found multiple sharks as we walked in the (mostly) unconsolidated powder. Stick to the skin track when coming out of Ridge area as those short but enticing slopes have "hungry sharks" (Experienced this last year, teased them this year). The pack is variable depending on wind exposure but it seems like there is a hard layer (about a 2cm thick) between 30 and 40 up from ground then between 20 and 30 sitting on top of that. Walking we broke right through the "hard layer" on every step. </p>
todd_allison,
Sunday 6th November, 2022 9:30AM
Pocaterra Ridge
<p>Skied the skiers right chutes off the ridge. Fantastic powder was found, but it's all powder no base. Unearthed a couple sharks, so would recommend to ski conservatively. Wait a few weeks before it's tips downhill and sendy
Better depth (70cm) was found as you go skiers right. Left hand chutes were on the bare side with maybe 40cm of coverage. Wind was transporting snow from left to right as you are looking down the chutes. Better powder found on the lee sides.
No wind slabs or other avy activity observed. ~-5c, Light flurries and moderate winds during the day. Powder was more wet than fluffy</p>
mitchell.guichon,
Saturday 5th November, 2022 10:30AM
Arethusa Basin
<p>Good coverage and skiing in trees, alpine slopes mostly thin and wind scoured. </p>
cmurrayschlitt,
Saturday 5th November, 2022 10:30AM