Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Feb 26 – 28, 2026Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 7 months ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

The wind forecast for Thursday night into Friday could transport snow available in the mountains and cause new wind slabs to form on leeward slopes.

Take the time to carefully assess slopes that have recently been loaded by wind before committing to them, remaining alert for signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The westerly wind, which will pick up overnight from Thursday to Friday, could carry the snow that has fallen in recent days and promote the formation of new wind slabs on leeward slopes. These could be found below the Alpine ridges and in areas of lateral loading at the tree line.

    The problem could be more pronounced in the north-east of the area, particularly in the Mines Madeleine sector, where the amount of snowfall since Monday has been significantly higher.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 wind slab avalanche was triggered intentionnally by a skier on a north-east facing slope in the Mount St-Pierre valley yesterday (25 February 2026). https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/c13152bf-12a2-11f1-9ec3-0a58a9feac02

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

Snowpack Summary

Since Monday, 15 to 20 cm of very light snow has fallen on the southern part of the area (Lyall, Hog's Back, Albert), while the Madeleine Mines sector has received more than 30 cm. There is therefore significant spatial variability across the area.

In the alpine terrain at Albert and at the tree line on Hog's Back, the snow has settled unevenly due to changing wind directions. In sheltered areas, it lies on firm surfaces or on a crust on sunny slopes. Some larger accumulations are present in areas of lateral loading. West-facing slopes remain generally bare.

At Mines Madeleine, the alpine sector and the tree line have been loaded much more significantly.

Below the tree line and in areas protected from the wind, there is 20 to 40 cm of light snow resting on a gradually denser cover. However, the distribution remains highly variable depending on the sector.

At mid-mountain, the average snowpack depth is approximately 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

Cold temperatures and sunshine are on the menu for Friday before a low-pressure system brings extreme winds and precipitation on Saturday.

Thursday evening and night: Partly cloudy, light snow. Winds shifting to the west at 19 to 31 mph. Significant cooling, low of -19°C.

Friday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind from the west at 20 to 30 km/h. High of −17°C.

Saturday: Snow, 5 to 10 cm. Wind from the south at 70 to 100 km/h. High -2°C. Freezing level at 450 m.

Sunday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind from the northwest at 20 to 40 km/h. High -22°C.


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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered