Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2026–Mar 29th, 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

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Even though natural avalanche activity is tapering, the snowpack remains capable of producing large avalanches. While skiing and riding conditions are excellent, careful terrain selection is critical - slopes that have not yet slid remain prime for triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

There is still widespread evidence of the previous large avalanche cycle, with debris that travelled well into below treeline with some exceeding historical runouts.

On March 27, Parks Canada staff observed a natural size 3 persistent slab from a Lectern sub-peak running full path, and a size 2 cornice fall in the Churchill Range.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 120 cm of new snow has accumulated along the Icefields Parkway since March 15, with 30-50 cm at Maligne. Recent moderate to strong winds are redistributing this snow. Below this a temperate & rain crust from the mid-March atmospheric river exists up to ~2300 m. A weak facet/crust layer is buried 70-170 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 150-220 cm, and Maligne is 80-140 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Flurries of snow with up to 8 cm. Alpine temperature: High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -11 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -8 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

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.