Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 1st, 2026–Mar 2nd, 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 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.

Regions

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

Recent snow and wind have built wind slabs and continue to add load to a persistent weak layer which has produced many large avalanches along the Icefields Parkway over the weekend.

Avoid wind loaded slopes and stay clear of overhead avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

A large avalanche cycle continues along the Icefields Parkway.

Many natural avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed since Feb 27 and forecasters have noticed significant cornice growth over the weekend.

Avalanche control at Parker Ridge Feb 27 produced several persistent slab results up to size 3, with the majority of loading occurring much lower on the slopes.

A group of skiers had an avalanche near-miss at Hilda on Saturday, see the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of new snow received this week (with the higher amounts around the Columbia Icefields) is being redistributed by strong winds. This has added load to a late January weak layer of facets and spotty surface hoar buried 40–60 cm deep, forming a persistent slab. The mid-pack is generally dense and well consolidated, with basal facets present in thinner snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Monday

A broad area of low pressure is moving across northern BC and will bring a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Temperatures will rise, with an alpine high of -1 °C and freezing levels at 2000m. Expect mostly light West winds with gusts to 45 km/h.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High -1 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -2 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h.

Freezing level: 1900 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.