Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 30 – 31, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 6 months ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Cornices remain fragile, limit exposure. Wind slabs persist in alpine lee terrain. Solar input is strong this time of year despite seasonally cool temperatures.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    20-45 cm of snow last week with continued mod-strong SW winds has formed wind slabs in alpine and treeline lee areas.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    A facet/crust interface from Jan is buried 70–180 cm deep. We are still seeing some hard, sudden test results at elevations above the Mar 20th rain crust (~2300 m). Large triggers like cornice falls or surface avalanches may trigger this layer.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine patrol reported triggering small loose dry avalanches with ski cuts. Lake Louise patrol triggered small (size 1) wind slabs with explosives. No other avalanches were observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

20-45 cm of snow fell over the last week, with moderate to strong SW winds creating wind effect in open areas, and wind slabs in lee areas. This snow fell on the Mar 20th rain crust, which exists below 2100-2300m. Above this crust on solar aspects, various buried sun crusts exist, some extending to higher elevations. Cornice growth continues.

The Jan 24th facet layer is buried 70–180 cm deep at treeline and in the alpine, with some tests still producing hard, sudden results

Weather Summary

Seasonally cool temperatures will persist on Tuesday, with valley temperatures just below zero and ridgetop temperatures around -13. Expect a mix of sun and cloud, with no significant precipitation forecast, though localized convective showers remain possible. Light to moderate southwest wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

Regions covered