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
Low (1)
Periods of low danger can be a great time to tackle steeper terrain and more committing objectives.
Continue to use normal caution andgood travel habits in avalanche terrain.
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
A sun crust up to 5 cm thick caps the snowpack on steep south-facing slopes, while new surface hoar is forming in many areas. Alpine and treeline ridgelines are generally wind-affected.
In sheltered terrain, 10–30 cm of snow overlays a layer or in some cases, several layers of surface hoar buried fairly close together. These layers may be deeper on wind-loaded slopes.
A layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried in early December is 50 to 120 cm deep. An absence of recent activity suggests it is no longer a significant concern, however, it is still producing occasional, concerning snowpack test results.
The lower snowpack is generally strong and bonded.
Avalanche Activity
On Wednesday in the backcountry near Whitewater resort, one rider had a close call with a wind slab avalanche in a steep, wind-loaded gully. See the MIN post here for more information.
Also, several small or very small (up to size 1) naturally triggered loose dry and wind slab avalanches were reported. Mainly in steep terrain or slopes in direct sun.
If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.