Avalanche forecast

Haines Pass

Mar 23 – 24, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Reactive wind slabs in combination with buried weak layers necessitate simple, low-angled terrain selection.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Easterly winds on Tuesday will form fresh, reactive slabs throughout the day. Recent winds have varied in direction, so be cautious on all aspects. Wind slabs overlie a weak layer of facets and could create surprisingly large avalanches.

  • 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
    1–3.5

    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.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

A very large avalanche resulted in a fatality on March 22 near Mt McDonell. More information can be found here.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Avoid travelling 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 200 cm of the snowpack. These layers are most likely to trigger in wind-affected areas or a shallow or thick-to-thin snowpack.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °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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