Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2026–Feb 22nd, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

While we wait for the wind to arrive, the ski quality remains quite good. Continue to look for subtle wind slabs near ridges & cols, particularly on south aspects where the Feb 14th layer was a sun crust.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing was seen today.

Snowpack Summary

Old storm snow is continuing to settle, but still not enough to form a cohesive slab. The wind still hasn't made an appearance either, which is helping to preserve our good skiing. Today we poked into higher north facing terrain and found the Feb 14th under layer to be very, very firm. In some places we would wash through the surface snow and lose a ski edge on the old slab. Around Purple Knob, when over 2350m the protective Feb 14th layer sits on top a slightly shallower midpack with a slightly weaker feel to it. While not alarming in itself, finding the weaker snow was a good reminder to keep checking in on those deeper layers.

Weather Summary

-19 to start the day tomorrow, with a high of -4 by 1pm. No snow and light cloud all day. Winds are expected to gradually increase with peak height winds in the 40km/hr range. They'll be steady from the SW all day long. Some forecasts are predicting gusty winds at all elevations starting at 10am.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.

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.