Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2026–Mar 30th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

While skiing and riding conditions are excellent, the snowpack remains capable of producing large avalanches.

Careful terrain selection is critical - manage your exposure to steep slopes that have not previously avalanched.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Snowy weather has limited alpine observations for the past two days.

On March 27, Parks Canada staff observed a natural size 3 persistent slab from a Lectern sub-peak running full path, and a size 2 cornice fall in the Churchill Range.

There is still widespread evidence of the previous large avalanche cycle, with some debris exceeding historical runouts.

Snowpack Summary

Over 130 cm of new snow (135mm water) has fallen along the Icefields Parkway this March, with 30-50 cm at Maligne. Westerly winds are redistributing this snow, with wind slab development in exposed areas. Below this, a crust from the mid-March atmospheric river exists up to 2300 m. A weak facet/crust layer is buried 70-170 cm. The midpack is well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 160-240 cm, and Maligne is 80-140 cm.

Weather Summary

Light flurries will continue overnight and through Monday, adding 5cm to the 15 cm that has fallen over the weekend. Temperatures in the alpine will rise to -8 during the day while light winds shift to the North West. Monday and Tuesday will be mostly cloudy, receiving a trace of new snow with West winds and seasonal temperatures.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Problems

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.

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.