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
Moderate (2)
Wind slabs in exposed terrain are the main concern. In some areas these slabs may be sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar leading to increased reactivity.
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
The snow surface is likely wind affected in open areas at all elevations.
10 to 40 cm of snow since early January has been slowly settling on a layer of weak surface hoar crystals that exists into the alpine. This layer has most recently only been reactive where wind slabs have formed above it.
A crust/facet/surface hoar layer from early December may be found 90 to 160 cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has tapered in recent weeks.
Avalanche Activity
Avalanche activity over the past few days has been reported as several wind slabs both natural and rider triggered size 1-2 in the alpine. At least one of these was reported to run on a layer of surface hoar buried in early January on a southwest aspect in the alpine. As well there were several reports of dry loose avalanches running to size 1 and 1.5 in steep terrain.