Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2026–Apr 3rd, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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

South Columbia, Esplanade, North Selkirk, Badshot-Battle, Central Selkirk, Goat, Retallack, Valhalla.

Assess for wind slab and know what’s above you.

Route selection should take both wind slabs and cornice hazard into consideration.

Confidence

Moderate

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past couple days numerous natural cornice failures were reported. Even without triggering slabs on the slopes below debris piles were up to size 2.5.

Numerous skier triggered dry loose and wind slab avalanches were also reported. These avalanches were triggered in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions are highly variable:

· In exposed alpine and treeline terrain recent variable wind may have scoured ridge tops and formed small wind slabs in lee features.

· Sheltered treeline features likely still hold up to 30 cm of low density snow.

· A crust exists on or near the surface on sun exposed slopes at treeline and below

Convective flurries over the past two weeks have deposited highly variable amounts of snow above the atmospheric river crust. Depending on drainage and elevation, you may find 30 to 100 cm above this crust, which extends to at least 2300 m.

Older weak layers are unreactive and buried at least 150 cm deep.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

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.