Avalanche forecast

Kananaskis

Mar 20 – 23, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A lot of uncertainty with the current snowpack. A high level of caution is required to navigate the snowpack as it adjusts to this massive warm, wet storm. Ease in to terrain slowly, dig & probe frequently and observe the power of the natural cycle that will be very evident everywhere.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely - Certain
    Size
    1–2.5

    Recent snow of up to 500cm, warms temps and strong westerly winds are creating touchy windslabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3.5

    Recent avalanche avalanche activity in the top 100-150cm of the snow pack has been observed. The March 7th and Feb 14th layer are the suspected interfaces.

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The start of the freeze tonight, The snow pack will still hold a lot of heat & wetness. Still on our radar until the whole snowpack refreezes.

Confidence

Low

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

Avalanche Summary

A widepsread avalanche cycle is on going with many areas running full path to the end of there historical runouts. A full road patrol from Canmore, down highway 40 and back on the spray noted crowns and avalanche debris in every location possible.

Snowpack Summary

No field teams Thursday or Friday. Rain soaked snow below 2100m or higher that is likely isothermal in some thinner areas. As you climb above 2000m the upper snowpack is moist in the top 40cm or more with dry snow underneath. In alpine areas, we suspect the recent snow of up to 50cm is still dry but field teams did not go into this area. Moderate to strong westerly winds are creating new windslabs in open areas. The March crust is down 50-80cm.

Weather Summary

Were coming out of the atmospheric river and the temps are starting to cool.

Saturday will see a day time high of -8 with freezing levels around 1600m. A mix of sun and cloud with 20-40km/h winds out of the West at ridge top.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wet avalanche activity may step down to deeply buried persistent weak layers at lower elevations.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.

Regions covered