Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2026–Apr 2nd, 2026

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.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

More snow for Thursday, so expect ski conditions to remain good.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Snowpack Summary

In most of our forecast area, the March 24 crust can be found up to 2450m with an average of 20-40cm on top of it with the interface being facets. Wind slabs are present at treeline and in the alpine from previous winds. There is 2 cm of snow sitting on top of a sun crust up to about 2200m on solar aspects.

Weather Summary

Thursday will be snowy with 5-10cm of snow forecast. The temperature range will be between -10c and -2c. Winds will start out to be moderate from the South and then shift to moderate from the SE in the afternoon. We are now in Spring time weather mode so do not be surprised if snow amounts vary from valley to valley.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

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.

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.