Avalanche forecast

North Rockies

Mar 7 – 8, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

6 am update: New snow and wind continue to build fresh, reactive wind slab. If you see more than 20 cm of new snow, treat avalanche danger as CONSIDERABLE.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds at higher elevations are likely forming fresh, reactive wind slabs, especially on steep, exposed slopes.

Confidence

Low

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

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, evidence of wind slab activity was observed size 1-2 in the Core Lodge area, primarily on north through east-facing aspects.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snow and strong winds have buried a crust formed in mid-February up to 90 cm deep. This crust is expected to be most widespread and thickest at treeline and below, becoming thinner or absent at higher elevations. Weak, faceted snow may exist above the crust, or in place of the crust at higher elevations.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally well consolidated, with no widespread layers of concern. The main exception is shallow, rocky terrain, where the snowpack is inherently weaker and early-season basal weak layers may still persist.

Check out the AvCan field teams MIN report from Core Lodge on Thursday for more details.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow, or rain below 1200 m. 100 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday
Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow, or rain below 1300 m. 90 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

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