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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2026–Mar 13th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Chic-Chocs.

Although the danger level is decreasing, remember that a CONSIDERABLE danger level should be taken very seriously.

The new snow lies on top of a crust throughout the mountains, providing an excellent sliding surface for avalanches.

Be very cautious when choosing your routes and carefully assess the snowpack before setting off down a slope.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

Many signs of instability observed on Albert and reported on the Mountain Information Network: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/776518d2-1e37-11f1-9929-0a58a9feac02

Some signs of instability, such as cracks under skis and fissures, were observed below the tree line by the field team.

An avalanche crown was reported in the Mélèzes couloir on Mount Albert. It was observed from a distance. It appears to be on an east-facing slope, but we have little information about this avalanche.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The storm on Wednesday and Thursday left 15 to 25 cm of snow mixed with ice pellets. With temperatures rising during the event, the surface snow is generally denser than the snow that fell at the beginning of the storm.

Areas south of the zone, particularly Mount Lyall, appear to have received more precipitation than areas to the north. This new snow lies on a widespread crust in the mountains. This crust generally supports the weight of a skier in alpine terrain, but it is less supportive below the tree line. The middle of the snowpack remains well consolidated.

The extreme south to southwesterly wind has created great variability in the snowpack in alpine areas and at the tree line, and in some places even below the tree line.

At mid-mountain, the average snowpack depth is approximately 135 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

Due to the passage of a cold front, temperatures will drop significantly, accompanied by additional snow showers.

Thursday evening and night

Snow showers. Accumulation of 2 to 5 cm. Wind from the north-west at 20 to 40 km/h. Minimum temperature -12°C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. Possible accumulation of 2 to 5 cm of snow. Winds from the northwest at 25 to 50 km/h. High of -14°C.

Saturday

Intermittent snow. 1 to 3 cm of snow. Winds from the southeast at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -9°C.

Sunday

Sun and clouds. Winds from the northwest at 20 to 50 km/h. High of -10.


For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.