Avalanche forecast

Haines Pass

Mar 22 – 23, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 6 months ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Storm slabs sitting on weak facets will be most likely to trigger in wind affected terrain.

Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Cornices are large, looming, and may trigger large persistent slabs on slopes below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    There are multiple persistent weak layers of facets or crust/facets combinations in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. Avoid steep, rocky, and wind affected areas where triggering these slabs is more likely.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm slabs sitting on weak facets will be most likely to trigger in wind affected terrain.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, 30 to 40 cm of recent storm snow sitting on a crust/facet layer was reactive to skiers on small test slopes at treeline. See this MIN report for more details.

Observations in this region are extremely limited. If you head out into the backcountry, let us know what you're seeing by submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Avoid traveling underneath them.

40 to 60 cm of recent snow and strong winds have formed storm slabs over a weak layer of crust/facets that have recently been reactive to human triggers.

There are multiple persistent weak layers of facets or crust/facets combinations in the top 100 cm of the snowpack. These layers are most likely to trigger in wind affected areas with a shallow or thick to thin snowpack.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night
Clear skies. 10 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

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