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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2026–Mar 3rd, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, LLSA, West Side 93N.

The snowpack is slowly stabilizing after the big avalanche cycle, but danger remains elevated as we sort out how the new load has changed the Avalanche Problems in this region. We are suspicious of a layer of facets down 40-60 cm that is reactive at treeline and above, and are monitoring this situation closely.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine Village reported an out-of-bounds size 2 skier accidental at treeline on a west aspect at 2150 m, where a skier triggered a glade 30 m wide that was 70-100cm deep on facets.

Our field team did a road patrol up Hwy 93 N and reported the following avalanche observations.

On Sunday, a large natural avalanche was reported in Hidden Bowl just outside the Lake Louise ski area (estimated 800 m wide). We suspect this happened on Saturday. See the image below.

Snowpack Summary

A complex snowpack is emerging in the wake of the recent storm, but a common theme is a 40-60 cm slab in this region. We are concerned that this slab bonds poorly to a layer of facets on a crust formed Jan 24. The distribution of this layer (its location) is hard to nail down, and for now we are concerned about all steep terrain at treeline and higher, especially SE through W aspects, until we learn more about this situation.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will remain windy, as a minor system crosses the area Tuesday night, bringing 10-15 cm of snow to areas north of Lake Louise. By Wednesday morning, the storm shall pass, and the winds will become light.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.