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)
For best riding and lowest hazard, seek out low-angled, sheltered terrain where the snow hasn't been wind-affected.
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
Recent snowfall of 5 to 10 cm has likely formed fresh wind slabs near ridgetops on leeward slopes facing north through east, driven by Thursday’s southwest winds. Below 1900 m and on sun-exposed slopes, the new snow rests atop a surface crust left by previous warm temperatures and solar exposure.
The region’s overall shallow snowpack is defined by a persistent weak layer of surface hoar or facets from late January, now buried 40 to 80 cm deep. This layer triggered large avalanches earlier in March, and remains reactive in snowpack tests. The greatest concern lies in areas where a thick, supportive crust is absent near the surface, increasing the potential for instability.
Avalanche Activity
A few small size 1 wind slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed in the Crowsnest on Thursday. Snowpack tests done by our field team east of Elkford suggest that the persistent weak layer remains triggerable. Avalanches on the persistent weak layer are becoming less likely to trigger, but if they do, they can be large and highly destructive.
Recent reports have been limited. If you are visiting the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report.