Avalanche forecast

Coquihalla

Mar 5 – 6, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Stick to small slopes with limited consequences and no overhead hazard.

We have some uncertainty in the reactivity of persistent slabs, conservative terrain choices are the answer .

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A persistent weak layer consisting of facets over a hard crust has been reactive in recent days. Avoid overhead hazard; remote triggering is a concern with this layer.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs will likely remain rider triggerable, especially on north and east aspects at treeline and above. Storm slabs could step down to deeper layers, resulting in large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday numerous natural avalanches were observed on east through south aspects. These avalanches were generally at treeline and failed on the late January crust. A size 2 remotely triggered, persistent slab avalanche was also reported in Allison Pass. Details here.
On Saturday, an accident occurred on Thor Peak. 3 skiers were boot packing up a couloir when they triggered a size 3 persistent slab. Another size 2 persistent slab was also remotely triggered nearby.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of new snow is expected at upper elevations by Thursday morning, accompanied by strong west or southwest winds. Rain has saturated the top 10 to 20 cm below treeline.

This new snow overlies a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects and lower elevations, and wind-affected surfaces at higher elevations.

A persistent weak layer consisting of a crust/ facet layer from late January is currently buried 40 to 80 cm deep across the region. This layer has been reactive in recent days.

The snowpack below is strong and well-bonded.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 15 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Cloudy. 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 cm of snow at treeline, rain below. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing into complex terrain.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.

Regions covered