Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2026–Feb 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

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 possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

A little bit of new snow Monday will enhance overall ski conditions yet be vigilant for the incremental loading has the potential to increase sensitivity on a buried and spotty distributed surface hoar layer 10-30cm deep. Be wary of strong winds arriving Wednesday.

Seek out sheltered terrain to find the best conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Marmot basin staff on Monday skier triggered a windslab, size 2, 2480m, North aspect, 40cm deep and 300m long. Their explosive control work had a similar result on the adjacent slope. Also Monday's Icefield's patrol only had 30% visibility, snowing actively, with 20cm of new snow South of Parkers ridge. No naturals were observed but gusty conditions noted with windslabs forming. Monday's Icefield patrol did not notice any natural activity and visibility was pretty good.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of soft snow in sheltered locations sits on various melt freeze crusts and older wind affected snow, or a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. The midpack is generally dense and well consolidated with basal facets in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday could bring cloudy conditions, isolated flurries, a trace of new snow, -9 °C, and generally light with some moderate ridgetop West winds. Wednesday may get 11cm of new snow, -9 to -12 °C, and gusting 85km/hr Southwest winds. It is a 50% chance that Thursday may get 14cm of snow and gusting 95km/hr West winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

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.