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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2026–Mar 2nd, 2026

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, LLSA, West Side 93N.

As storm snow settles, uncertainty remains elevated. Remain on the lookout for wind slabs, as skier triggering is still likely. A late day report of a large persistent slab near Lake Louise is a significant red flag (see avalanche summary).

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Rogan’s Gully near Banff ran naturally today, likely triggered by solar warming. Size 2. Debris stopped just short of reaching the bottom pitch of the climb. An ACMG Training and Assessment Program course observed a large size 3 avalanche near Hidden Bowl, adjacent to the Lake Louise Ski Area. The avalanche is estimated to be 12 to 24 hours old. This is a key observation that increases uncertainty.

Snowpack Summary

15-40 cm's of storm snow from late last week induced a widespread avalanche cycle. Continued strong to extreme SW/W winds are redistributing the storm snow in to wind slabs. In some thin areas, there are facets near the base, but overall, the snowpack is stronger than usual.

Weather Summary

Strong west winds will continue Monday. Temperatures remain seasonal, with valley highs slightly above zero and ridge temperatures around -8. No precipitation expected until Wednesday, with a mix of sun and cloud until then.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

Problems

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.

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.