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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2026–Mar 1st, 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

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Large, persistent slab avalanches have been rider-triggered or failed naturally almost every day this week - many occurring in steep treed areas.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We have higher uncertainty about treeline conditions due to persistent slabs.

Avalanche Summary

We are aware of an emerging avalanche incident at Kootenay Pass. Further details are not yet available, but will be provided when possible.

On Friday, natural, remote, and rider-triggered avalanches up to size 3 were reported. MIN reports captured cracking, whumpfing, and remote-triggered avalanches from 50 m away.

Almost daily, large, persistent avalanches have been triggered or failed naturally; many reported near steep treed areas. See Feb 24 MIN and Feb 21 MIN

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect has impacted 20 to 30 cm of recent snow, leaving a variety of pressed surfaces into open treeline areas. A sun crust covers steep solar slopes, and moist surfaces are expected with daytime heating.

In the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there are multiple concerning weak layers of surface hoar and/or crusts/facets. The majority of recent persistent slab avalanches have been on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 10 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.