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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2026–Mar 3rd, 2026

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

Regions

Little Yoho, Kootenay, Lake Louise, Sunshine, Field.

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.

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.

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.