Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 24th, 2026–Feb 25th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Up to 35 cm of recent snow is being redistributed by strong to extreme SW-W winds, Fresh windslabs are forming and are prime for human triggering, Caution route finding and managing terrain essential.

Avalanche control is being planned for 9am Feb 25th on the Canmore hill, (EEOR control zone) Expect short closures while control work in completed.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Visibility was limited, but several naturally triggered wind slabs were observed. These slabs are 30 to 50cm deep and are mainly occurring on easterly aspects in the Alpine. The avalanches were mostly in the size 1.5 to 2 range.

Snowpack Summary

Between 20 and 40cm of new snow fell in the past 2 days, with the larger amounts in the southern part of the forecast area. The winds have picked up and fresh wind slabs and wind pressed snow now dominates the landscape. There is now 35 to 70cm overlying the Feb 14th layer of suncrust, surface hoar and old/or hard wind slabs. Slab development is ongoing with strong to extreme SW-W winds

Weather Summary

Wednesday:

Mostly cloudy skies with the occasional sunny period. High of -12

Winds will continue in the strong to extreme range from the SW-W

Snow is expected to start slowly Wednesday evening and up to 10cm by Thursday morning.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

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.