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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 14th, 2026–Feb 15th, 2026

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

Regions

Little Yoho, Kootenay.

Good conditions overall, but we have lingering concerns for pockets of persistent slab in the Kootenay and Yoho areas, where a 20-40 cm slab may overlie the Jan 24 surface hoar/crust layer and be reactive in steeper terrain. Watch for cracking or signs of slab formation as you enter steep terrain at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

A Parks Canada field team reported whoomphing, cracking and ski-cutting a size one avalanche on the Jan 24th surface hoar down 30-40 cm at 1800 m in the Simpson area of Kootenay Park.

A recent report from Yoho shows a reactive Jan 24 surface hoar layer down 25 cm at below treeline elevations.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of overnight snow makes for 10-20 cm of soft surface snow in sheltered north facing alpine areas that diminishes with elevation. The new snow overlies crusts on solar aspects and wind effect in exposed alpine areas. The Jan 24 layer (surface hoar/crust) is down 15-30 cm at treeline and below. This layer has been reactive in isolated pockets between 1500 and 1900 m (see avalanche summary). Below this interface, the snowpack is generally strong and well settled.

Weather Summary

Sunday: A weak ridge will bring clearing skies and dry conditions. Light to moderate west winds. Tree-line temps ~-7°C.

Monday: Trace of snow during day that picks up in evening. 5-10cm expected by Tuesday morning. Light SW winds, treeline temperatures ~-7°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.