Avalanche forecast

South Coast Inland

Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous slabs may persist after recent storms.

Choose conservative routes with simple, low-angle terrain and no overhead hazard.

Avoid sunny slopes if the surface is moist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Strong southerly winds formed reactive wind slabs at all elevations, particularily near ridgetops. These winds have affected areas farther downslope than normal and will be more reactive where they overlie surface hoar.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    A persistent weak layer of facets and a crust is buried 60 to 100 cm. Wind slabs or wet loose sluffs could step down to this layer causing larger than expected avalanches.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Sun and rising temperatures may melt the surface snow on steep solar affected slopes, creating the potential for wet loose sluffs. Use extra caution on sun-exposed slopes, if the snow surface is moist or wet.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.
  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1-1.5 wind slabs were triggered by people on Thursday, including remotely. These were failing on a touchy layer of surface hoar under the recent storm snow.

On Tuesday, a fatal, human-triggered (size 3.5) wind slab was triggered on a wind-loaded, northeast slope in the alpine. (See MIN post here) Several smaller human-triggered slabs (up to size 1.5) also occurred at alpine and treeline elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme southerly winds have redistributed around 20 to 40 cm of recent snow, creating widespread wind effect and building reactive wind slabs on lee slopes. The recent snow sits on a variety of old snow surfaces, including surface hoar, crusts, and facets. Expect the potential for a poor bond at the storm snow interface.

Around 60 to 100 cm is sitting over a persistent weak layer of facets and crust from early February.

The snowpack below appears to be strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level falling to 500 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level rising to 1500 m.

Sunday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2300 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.


More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

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