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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2026–Mar 11th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

While the natural avalanches have tapered, the potential for human triggering remains as you approach treeline and above.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Today, Lake Louise Patrol triggered size 1.5 - 2 wind slab avalanches on alpine E aspects with explosives & ski cutting. Sunshine Patrol cornice control triggered a size 3 avalanche.

Size 2.5 - 3 avalanches reported on Dolomite shoulder and Hector to have occurred in the past 48 hrs. Lots of whumphing on Watermelon peak anywhere there was wind-pressed snow.

Monday, skiers remotely triggered a size 2 avalanche on the Peyto Hut access moraines likely on the persistent layer.

Snowpack Summary

Sunday's 20–40 cm snowfall was hammered by extreme winds and formed windslabs, while the rain fell to ~2000 m, triggering a widespread avalanche cycle. Cooler temperatures on Monday formed a crust now buried by 5–15 cm. As the crust thins with elevation, a persistent weak layer (30–90 cm deep facets/surface hoar) becomes more concerning—most reactive near treeline in Yoho & Kootenay, but has also caused avalanches in other areas, including the alpine.

Weather Summary

Tuesday evening expect 2-5 cm. Flurries continue through Wednesday and into Thursday morning. Accumulations range between 10-20 cm. Temperatures will remain cool (-10 to -15), and SW winds will be light to moderate through this period.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.

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.