Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Feb 20 – 21, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Large avalanches continue to fail on various weak layers in the snowpack.

Stick to small, low-angle terrain and test conditions before approaching bigger slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent snow combined with variable winds have created wind slabs in open areas at upper elevations. Wind slabs could step down to deeper persistent layers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Three problematic layers of surface hoar, facets, and/or melt-freeze crust exit in the upper 150 cm of the snowpack. People continue to trigger large avalanches on these layers daily, on all aspects and primarily between 1600 m - 2200 m.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, with many of them being triggered by humans (including remotely). These avalanches are occurring on all aspects and elevations, including on relatively low-angle slopes below treeline.

It remains likely for people to continue to trigger similar avalanches on the various weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall over the past week has built up

Previous wind has created variable wind-effect in open areas at upper elevations.

Three persistent layers of concern may be found in the upper 150 cm of the snowpack:

  • 25 to 60+ cm down is a layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, or a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes from mid-February.

  • 40 to 100+ cm is the early-February layer of surface hoar in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes.

  • 70 to 120 cm is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust.

All of these layers continue to form large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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