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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2026–Feb 21st, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Chic-Chocs.

With strong northeasterly winds and new snow expected on Saturday, wind slabs will remain reactive to skiers passing by. Exercise extreme caution when choosing your route, especially in challenging and complex terrain. Excellent snow conditions can be found below the tree line.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, an avalanche accidentally triggered by users during the ascent was reported in the Grande cuve area of Mont Albert. For more details, see the MIN.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Saturday's new snow and recent snow will be transported to the southeast, south, southwest, and west slopes. It lies on a variety of surfaces: wind-hardened snow, rocky areas, overlapping wind slabs, and sun crusts. Below the tree line, the snow is generally powdery.

A series of wind slabs of different densities, ranging from softer to harder, is found at the top of wind-loaded slopes in alpine terrain and at the tree line.

In the Madeleine Mines sector, as well as in certain areas on Ernest-Laforce and on the coast, a layer of large frosted grains is buried under 20 to 50 cm of wind slabs.

The average thickness of the snowpack at mid-mountain is approximately 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will bring snow in the afternoon, with variable accumulations and powder easily transported to the southern slopes.

Friday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Winds from the northwest shifting to the northeast at 20 to 40 km/h. Low -19°C.

Saturday: 5 to 10 cm of snow. Winds from the northeast at 20 to 50 km/h. High of -7°C.

Sunday: Sunny. Winds from the north at 20 km/h. High of -6°C.

Monday: Sunny. Winds from the east at 20 km/h. High of -6°C.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.