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)
Rocky, wind-affected areas are a prime suspect for large, human-triggered avalanches.
Seek out sheltered, moderate-angled slopes for the best and safest riding.
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
5 to 20 cm of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours. Accompanying southwest winds have likely redistributed this new snow, forming deeper deposits on leeward slopes at higher elevations.
A layer buried in early December is found roughly 20 to 90 cm below the surface. This layer varies, consisting of weak surface hoar or facetted crystals on shaded slopes and a sun crust with facets on south-facing slopes.
The base of the snowpack is made up of a thick crust and facets in many areas.
Avalanche Activity
On Tuesday, a large skier-triggered avalanche (see this MIN) indicated reactive wind slabs failing on facets are a significant issue in alpine and treeline terrain.
On Wednesday, explosive control near Invermere produced numerous size 1 deep persistent slabs from steep, treeline terrain.
Both of these avalanche problems will continue into Friday. Steep, rocky, wind-loaded areas are prime suspects for either of these dangerous instabilities!