Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2026–Mar 3rd, 2026

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, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

The persistent slab has potential to produce large avalanches. Consider the size of slopes and overhead hazard in your decision-making process.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of warming will affect the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Many natural avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed in the bulletin region since Feb 27. An avalanche on the East face of Whistlers Peak was observed Monday morning.

The frequency of natural avalanche activity is tapering, however slopes are still primed for human triggering.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of new snow received this week has been redistributed by strong West winds. This sits atop the January weak layer of facets and surface hoar buried 40–60 cm deep, forming a persistent slab. Below 2000m, a thin melt-freeze crust is developing on the surface. The mid-pack is generally dense and well consolidated, with basal facets present in thinner snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries will deliver 4cm of new snow.

-1°C at 2200m and freezing level at 2000m

Mostly light ridge wind gusting to 40 km/h.

Wednesday

6 cm of new snow.

Low -7 °C, High -4 °C.

Ridge wind: Southwest, 15-35 km/h.

Freezing level at 1600 m

Thursday

Cloudy with 4 cm of new snow.

Low -10 °C, High -6 °C.

Ridge wind: Southwest, 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.

Problems

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.

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.