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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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jordan, Gold, Valhalla, Whatshan.

With uncertainty about diminishing storm instabilities and persistent layers still in play, we're approaching maximum snowpack complexity. It's a good time to travel conservatively.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday's reports included several size 2 persistent slabs failing on a variety of unsupported features at around 1800 m, as well as one skier-triggered size 2 wind slab on an east-facing treeline feature, both just west of Revelstoke. Most other nearby reports refer to sluffing of new snow.

During the weekend, a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred, size 2-3. These included many persistent slabs on north to east aspects in the alpine and at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

60 - 80 cm of snow since March 7 has been redistributed by southwest winds in exposed higher elevation terrain. It sits on old wind-affected surfaces at treeline and above or on a crust, which extends up to 1900 m near Highway 1--closer to 2100 m in the Valhallas--with moist snow immediately below it.

Three formerly problematic layers of surface hoar, facets and/ or crust formed in January and February exist in the mid-snowpack, 1-2 m deep. Except in more suspect thin-to-thick snowpack areas at higher elevations, we expect these layers to mostly be bridged, especially at low elevations where the early March crust effectively caps the snowpack.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow, mostly north of Revelstoke. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind, easing. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing about 5 cm of snow, mostly south of Revelstoke. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday
A mix of sun and clouds with scattered flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind shifting southwest. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and slopes above cliffs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.