Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 28th, 2026–Mar 29th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Wind slabs overlying the Mar 24th weak layer (crust, facets) is the biggest concern right now. Take the time to evaluate this interface before committing to steeper terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

Surface wind slabs vary in density from soft (4 finger) slabs at Treeline to denser and thicker slabs in the Alpine. These slabs vary in depth from 80cm in the Alpine to 40cm at 2100m. There was some isolated cracking withing these slabs on the Mar 24th crust. Speaking of the Mar24th, it is everywhere, and thick. Today it was found as high as 2450m (our high point) where it was about 5cm thick and very firm. Lower down at 2100m it was down about 40cm and wasn't bonding especially well to the new snow. This will be the layer to watch as spring moves on. Solar aspects today were softening up by noon with pinwheeling on steeper, south facing ski lines. Below 2100m the snowpack was going moist by mid-afternoon.

Weather Summary

Sunday should be cloudy with light flurries. Total snow accumulations could range between 4 and 12cm, depending on which forecast you believe. Winds will start the day at strong from the west, and then decrease to moderate for the afternoon. Daytime highs should be around -3C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.