Avalanche forecast

Little Yoho

Mar 3 – 4, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche hazard remains elevated as we transition out of the last avalanche cycle and determine an updated set of Problems and their distribution. We remain concerned about surface hoar at TL and below, and are watching the alpine closely; currently seeing windslabs that should stabilize, but monitoring facets down 40-60 cm.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Up to 40 cm of storm snow coupled with sustained West winds have formed deep windslabs in most open areas, particularly on ridgetop lee aspects.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A 35-50+ cm slab sits over the Jan. 24th surface hoar layer on shady aspects, and crust/ facets on southerly slopes. The surface hoar is very touchy, especially in Yoho and Kootenay between 1600-2200m. We expect this to persist for the next while.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No field teams were down in Yoho or Kootenay on Monday, so there is no new observations to report.

Sunday's avalanche control near Field BC produced wind-slabs up to size 3. A road path on Mt Field dusted the Trans Canada Highway. A natural avalanche was observed on the West side of Mt Ogden size 3 during avalanche control. A natural size 4 avalanche ~48 hours old was observed on the normal ski line on Mt Field.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of storm snow and sustained strong to extreme SW/W winds have formed deep, reactive windslabs. These overlie the Jan 24 layer (surface hoar/crust/facet) down 30-50+ cm at treeline. This layer has been very touchy in Kootenay and Yoho, and with this new load, we believe it may now wake up in areas south of Lake Louise. We expect touchy conditions for the foreseeable future.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will remain windy, as a minor system crosses the area Tuesday night, bringing 10-15 cm of snow to areas north of Emerald Lake and Lake Louise. By Wednesday morning, the storm shall pass, and the winds will become light.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Regions covered