Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Forecasts are for use by experienced backcountry travelers in uncontrolled sidecountry and backcountry terrain. These forecasts and conditions do not apply to open, in-bounds terrain at ski resorts, which is subject to avalanche control by local resort ski patrol.
Avalanche Rating
Considerable (3)
Avoid complex and wind-loaded terrain.
Storm slabs will be building throughout Sunday.
More Detail
To get the complete forecast with additional graphics and details, please view the Avalanche Canada Zone forecast provided by Avalanche Canada.
Snowpack Discussion
Up to 20 cm of new snow is expected to fall on Sunday, building widespread new storm slabs at upper elevations. Due to forecast winds, these slabs are expected to be thickest and most reactive on wind-loaded north and east-facing slopes. Warm temperatures may result in rain and moist or wet snow at lower elevations. Below the new snow, 30 to 50 cm overlies a melt-freeze crust. Two weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains associated with a crust from late January and mid-February may be found 60 to 120 cm deep. Recently, these layers have been unreactive and are not a significant concern. The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.
Avalanche Activity
On Friday, skiers near Silver Star ski cut a few small size 1 wind slabs.
On Thursday, skiers near Big White ski cut several small wind slabs on alpine northeast-facing slopes.
With new snow and wind in the forecast, we expect storm slabs to become increasingly reactive on Sunday.