Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2026–Apr 3rd, 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

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

Recent avalanches have been triggered by rock or cornice fall. Consider large loads when choosing terrain.

Dig and investigate persistent weak layers before committing to slopes.

The best skiing is on sheltered slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Confidence

High

We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.

Avalanche Summary

A rockfall triggered a large slab avalanche on the South face of Pyramid Mountain earlier this week (photo).

A size 3 persistent slab was observed on the West face of Mt. McGuire on April 1st originating in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15cm of new snow has fallen this week, redistributed by south and westerly wind in the alpine. Below, a firm crust is supportive at low elevations but gradually disappears above tree line, around 2300 m. A deeper persistent weak layer from late January exists down 80–120 cm. The lower snowpack is generally strong although weak basal facets can still be found in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -6 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -3 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level: 2100 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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.