Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 21 – 22, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
Spring conditions
Treeline
Spring conditions
Below
Spring conditions
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Highlights

A cold front will bring a dramatic shift in weather on Wednesday. Increased cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and strengthening winds will bring a more winter-like feel to the region over the next few days.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Lingering wind slabs remain at upper elevations. Heads up on exposed alpine features. The risk is getting taken for a ride in no fall terrain.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    A cooling trend will begin Tuesday evening, tapering the loose wet avalanche cycle. Wednesday will be a transition day where we still could see isolated activity on this problem.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

We continue to receive reports of wind slab avalanches in the high alpine. Most have been either skier-triggered or initiated by cornice failures, triggering a slab below. A loose wet natural avalanche cycle continued Tuesday, but is expected to taper as a cold front brings increased cloud cover and cooler temperatures to the region. The primary concern on Wednesday will be lingering wind slabs on high northerly aspects.

Snowpack Summary

North-facing aspects above 2600 m hold dry, wind-affected snow. On solar aspects, a crust extends to ridgetop and has been weakening under daytime heating. As a cooling trend moves into the region, a widespread surface crust will lock in the snowpack everywhere except on high north-facing terrain. In valley bottoms, snow will likely continue to melt with daytime warming.

Weather Summary

Wednesday will bring a dramatic shift in the weather as a cold front moves into the region. Expect cloud cover and light precipitation throughout the day, with snow accumulation of up to 5 cm at higher elevations. Temperatures will cool, with freezing levels around 2000m on Wednesday, dropping to valley bottoms by Thursday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

Regions covered