Category: AST

SPAW Avalanche Warning BC: Ski Touring Risks and Snowpack Conditions

On February 28th, Avalanche Canada issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) due to several concerning factors. A recent, sustained cold snow snap provided ideal conditions for a significant layer of facets(weak layer) to develop in the snowpack. Strong winds accompanied and followed the cold temps; in some areas, those winds produced windslab conditions on top of the weak, faceted snow. Those wind slabs are reactive and can create significant propagation. That propagation is behind several large avalanches witnessed across BC’s interior, reminding us of the risks of ski touring in untracked snow.

Post-SPAW Avalanche Danger BC Interior: Weak Snowpack and Stormy Weather Risks

With the SPAW ending in BC’s Interior on March 7^th, dangerous conditions may persist in certain areas. Weak layers in the snowpack can continue to be a serious risk. Ski touring in untracked snow can be particularly hazardous during this period. Stormy weather may raise avalanche danger in some regions. Many areas will enter a period where triggering an avalanche is unlikely, but the consequences can be severe. Be mindful of the low probability-high consequence scenario. Weak layers often take a long time to heal. Please continue to be diligent, even as the avalanche danger ratings drop.

Pay attention; don’t ignore signs of increased avalanche danger, such as recent avalanches, whumpfs, or shooting cracks. As the weak layers get buried deeper, these warning signs may become less obvious, making it even more important to stay cautious. Be patient—don’t let ideal conditions or a lack of quality snow tempt you into risky ski touring in untracked snow or areas you might typically avoid. Terrain can be your friend; use it appropriately. Avoid terrain traps, thin, rocky areas in the start zone, and convex features, and limit your exposure to overhead hazards, such as cornices. A number of remotely triggered avalanches have been reported to run far and wide, even reaching non-avalanche terrain.

Conditions are tricky right now. New snow has bonded reasonably well at treeline and below, thanks to recent warm temperatures, but things get more complicated as you move higher. In alpine and exposed treeline areas, the snow isn’t settling nicely, and wind slabs are sitting on the weak February faceted layer, making these zones much more reactive. Ski touring in untracked snow in these areas demands extra caution.

Early 2025 BC Alpine Backcountry: Wind Slabs, Faceted Snowpack, Surface Hoar Risks

Lower elevations will develop crusty, less desirable riding conditions with temperatures returning to seasonal norms, while the alpine will offer better-quality snow. Backcountry riders will be enticed into alpine areas. However, the higher-elevation snowpacks haven’t stabilized as quickly as the lower-elevation areas. The added hazard of wind slabs and wind loading on the February facets in the alpine makes for a more complex snowpack. Reports of significant propagation on the faceted layer, which is up to 40 to 70 cm deep in certain areas, add another layer of concern—especially where a surface hoar layer has now formed and is sitting on top of the facets. While ski touring in untracked snow in the alpine may hold the best riding, it also demands extra caution and careful terrain management. Make good decisions.

We are all crossing our fingers for much more snow than usual this April. Perhaps we should sacrifice some of our old rock skis or snowboards to sway Ullr, the Norse god of snow, skiing (snowboarding wasn’t a thing then) and winter into being exceptionally generous and providing us with fresh and epic powder days. Have fun, ride safe and recreate responsibly during your ski touring adventures in untracked snow.

Brad Harrison, Colwest Alpine Adventures
Professional Member, Canadian Avalanche Association
Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association

BC Ski Conditions Update: A Challenging Start to 2025: What Happened to La Niña?

The start of 2025 has been drier than usual in parts of British Columbia, with some areas experiencing early-season drought conditions. While lower elevations lack fresh snowfall, dedicated skiers and riders can still find quality turns in the backcountry. The key, as always, is knowing where to look.

Snowfall Has Been Highly Variable
This season has been defined by inconsistent snowfall across BC. While some areas have struggled with minimal accumulation, others have been hit with heavy dumps. A prime example is Crescent Spur Heliskiing, which received an impressive 40-60 cm in 30 hours, while nearby Tête Jaune saw only 2 cm in the same period. These drastic differences highlight the unpredictable nature of this year’s snowfall patterns.

Despite the lack of significant storms, Sun Peaks has done an excellent job maintaining skiable terrain. Their grooming team has been hard at work, ensuring the resort remains in top shape for visitors. While fresh powder may be limited, the well-maintained runs offer enjoyable skiing.

Backcountry Conditions: What to Watch For
For those venturing into the backcountry, there are both opportunities and hazards to keep in mind. Snow coverage varies significantly by region, and the snowpack is far from uniform. In the BC Interior, the snowpack tends to taper sharply as you descend into or below the treeline, making route selection crucial. The Purcell Mountains have remained relatively thin, while conditions in the Rockies are even more sparse, making glacier travel challenging. Skiers and riders should approach these areas cautiously and be prepared for tricky navigation over exposed terrain.

Another important factor this season is a persistent layer of buried surface hoar, which has been reactive in some areas but not in others. Regions like Rogers Pass have seen increased activity, mainly where wind slabs have formed. Travellers in avalanche terrain should carefully assess slope stability and check regional forecasts before heading out.

Navigating the Season Ahead
With such varied conditions, adaptability is key. If planning a backcountry trip, pay close attention to recent weather patterns and local snow reports. Avalanche forecasts remain critical, particularly with a spotty but potentially dangerous weak layer in play.

As we move further into the season, keep an eye on shifting snow conditions and be prepared for a mix of deep snow in some places and firm or shallow coverage in others. Whether inbounds or out in the backcountry, staying informed will help ensure safe and rewarding turns. Here’s to making the most of BC’s unpredictable winter!

Brad Harrison, Colwest Alpine Adventures
Professional Member, Canadian Avalanche Association
Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association

Good for BC Skiers/Boarders?

The weather gurus are predicting that there is a 71% chance that we will experience a La Nina weather system this season. This shift can alter weather patterns, creating a northwest flow that funnels cold, moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean into BC, perhaps lots of snow for us to enjoy. For a detailed explanation of this winter’s La Nina forecast and how it might affect conditions at Sun Peaks, visit OpenSnow, written by meteorologist Alan Smith

As we move through November, a quick summary of the snowpack in the alpine and around the province is worth doing. We have seen yet another series of atmospheric rivers crash into the West Coast, and a couple of avalanche incidents were recently reported. Avalanche Canada will start its daily forecasts on November 21^st at 4:00 PM PST. Check your local forecast and any MIN reports that refer to the area around your riding destination.

Preparing for winter is a good time to inspect your gear; double-check that your transceiver is functioning properly. Industry professionals continually work on their companion rescue skills. Do some drills with your touring partners. Is your tape, glue, spare batteries, etc., and other gear in your pack all functioning as expected? When was the last time you re-glued your skin? Waxed your board or skis?

We are fortunate in Canada to have many resources, such as detailed weather forecasts, at our fingertips. Some of my go-tos are Windy.com and YR.NO, but DriveBC highway forecasts can provide important information. You may consider taking an avalanche course or a refresher with a local provider.

Be well prepared if you plan to head out into the backcountry. Understand what the avalanche danger ratings mean, particularly High – “natural avalanches are likely, human-triggered avalanches are very likely,” Considerable – “natural avalanches are possible, human-triggered avalanches are likely” and Moderate – “natural avalanches unlikely, human-triggered avalanches possible.”

In the spirit of safety, let’s stay informed, communicate effectively, and adapt our plans accordingly. Winter’s challenges are part of the adventure, and with a thoughtful approach, we can continue to enjoy our alpine environment while managing risks. Here’s to making wise decisions, respecting the backcountry and its residents, and ensuring an enjoyable, memorable, and safe winter season. Please remember to recreate responsibly and ask others to do the same.

If you are in the area, don’t miss Avalanche Canada’s 20^th Anniversary Party on November 15^th in Revelstoke. Join them for an evening of celebration, with appies, live music, and a chance to win a day’s heli-skiing courtesy of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing: appies, live music, raffle, and a darn good time.

Brad Harrison, Colwest Alpine Adventures
Professional Member, Canadian Avalanche Association
Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association

Variable across BC

If you are a winter backcountry traveller, take a minute to check out Avalanche Canada’s website. They issued a SPAW (Special Public Avalanche Warning) from Feb 29^th to Mar 7^th. Upon review, you will likely note the incredible diversity of avalanche conditions currently being observed across BC. Although colourful, this variety of conditions is problematic as backcountry riders plan their next excursions. While the Sun Peaks/Kamloops region currently sits in one of the few “moderate” (heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features) zones, one doesn’t need to travel very far east, north or west to find yourself either in a “considerable” (dangerous avalanche conditions) zone or “high” (very dangerous avalanche conditions) zone.

To summarize our winter, we started with very low precipitation amounts and generally warmer-than-average weather, although we did experience a few cold snaps. January continued to be relatively dry with a few smallish, short-lived snowfall periods; thank goodness for those. The lower-than-normal snowpack helped to create an early-season widespread, persistent weak layer(PWL) of facets near the base of the snowpack. Due to a lack of significant snow load on that weak layer, our region didn’t experience very many widespread issues. Other parts of BC were not so fortunate; the added snow load in the different areas increased the hazard.

Things seemed to be settling down until we experienced rainfall to mountaintops and very warm temps in early February. This combination of rain and warming temps predetermined the formation of a 10-20 cm crust, and a weak layer of facets eventually formed above the crust. All was relatively calm until most regions in BC received a crazy amount of snow in a short period at the end of Feb., I.e. the snowpack at the Little Bear weather station in the Coquihalla climbed from 159 cm on Feb 25^th to 265 cm on Feb 29^th. The rapid loading put a lot of stress on the buried weak layer(s), creating a widespread avalanche cycle. In many regions of BC, we now have a snowpack with multiple, persistent, weak layers under a significant load. These can be very reactive to natural or human-triggered loading, including smaller avalanches stepping down to deeper PWLs. Many backcountry travellers have noted the “propagation” quality of the current snowpack; avalanches can be remotely triggered from a significant distance.

Be well prepared if you plan to head out into the backcountry. Ensure your riding partners are prepared, have the right equipment, and know how to use it. Understand what the avalanche danger ratings mean, particularly High – “natural avalanches are likely, human-triggered avalanches are very likely,” Considerable – “natural avalanches are possible, human-triggered avalanches are likely” and Moderate – “natural avalanches unlikely, human-triggered avalanches possible.”

Please stay diligent as we head into the later part of a very interesting winter of variable weather. There are numerous resources that you may find handy. Avalanche Canada’s Avaluator is a made-in-Canada, rules-based decision-making planning tool which many find helpful. The Dangerator is a similar valuable tool in areas that have not yet been rated, utilizing the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale.

The riding conditions are excellent right now, with high-quality powder conditions. If you utilize good safety habits and are well-prepared, you can enjoy safe, rewarding backcountry experiences.

Brad Harrison, Colwest Alpine Adventures
Professional Member, Canadian Avalanche Association
Executive Director, Backcountry Lodges of BC Association

A Winter of Major Weather Swings

Navigating the snowpack this winter has been a rollercoaster ride of extremes. We find ourselves with a well-below-average snowpack for this time of year, with a complex puzzle of buried weak layers that have demanded our attention for a long time. Our recent encounter with an abnormal mid-winter warm spell resulted in conditions going from bad to worse. It presented a drastic change with rapid loading and warming to the snowpack, which produced a widespread natural avalanche cycle on all aspects and elevations across most of the province. As temperatures drop again, the soon-to-be-buried crust may become a persistent weak layer, requiring ongoing vigilance.

The silver lining is that once the temperatures return to normal, we may no longer have to worry about our previous persistent layers. The rain will likely have saturated the snowpack, and it will refreeze, locking up those persistent weak layers.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to recognize the evolving nature of our snowpack. The layers beneath our skis and boards are a dynamic landscape influenced by temperature fluctuations, snowfall patterns, and wind speeds. While we may not have the deepest snow cover at the moment, the quality and stability of what we have require careful consideration.

If you aren’t jazzed with the current riding conditions, this is a good time to take out your winter equipment and give it a once-over; double-check that your transceiver is functioning properly and everything else in your pack is good to go. Industry professionals continually work on their companion rescue skills and run scenarios frequently. Get outside and practice with your friends and touring partners to ensure everyone’s gear is in good shape and behaving as intended. Is your tape, glue, spare batteries, etc., and other gear in your pack all up-to-date? When was the last time you re-glued your skin? Waxed your board or skis?

This is a great time to run companion rescue drills with your riding partners. Test them, throw down some lunch money. The more prepared your friends or riding partners are, the more confident you can be in their ability to be ready to deal with any type of mishap, minor or major. There is never a bad time to practice any rescue skills.

We are fortunate in Canada to have many resources that are often free and can be helpful in your backcountry trip planning. Avalanche Canada is an amazing resource with many tools for winter backcountry riders to utilize. Some of my favourites are the Learn tab, the Trip Planner and the Mountain Information Network (MIN) tool. Take a few minutes and submit your own MIN report; the process is intuitive and helpful to other users. Find a weather app that works for you; many options exist. I normally utilize Windy.com and YR.NO, but DriveBC’s highway forecasts (mountain passes) and Avalanche Canada’s Mountain Weather Forecast can provide much necessary information. It’s never a bad idea to take an AST course, even if it’s a refresher.

In the spirit of safety, let’s stay informed, communicate effectively, and adapt our plans accordingly. Winter’s challenges are part of the adventure, and with a thoughtful approach, we can continue to enjoy the wonders of the mountain while managing risks. Here’s to making smart decisions, respecting the mountain environment, and ensuring a safe, memorable and enjoyable remainder of our winter season. Please remember to recreate responsibly.

Take good care and ride safe.