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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, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Little Yoho, Kootenay.

With increasing winds on Sunday we will likely see wind slab development and dry loose avalanches in the alpine. Monitor wind loading during the day and watch for an increase in avalanche hazard.

Also pay attention to the Jan 24 surface hoar layer down 30-40 cm. This layer has been reactive in this region at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the timing, track, and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the past 48 hours, however several skier triggered avalanches have been reported in the past week.

A skier remote avalanche was reported Wednesday from Simpson area in Kootenay Park releasing on Jan 24 surface hoar at 1800m.

Last Sunday an avalanche on Jan 24 surface hoar was triggered in Little Yoho Valley in Yoho Park.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent low density snow, with minimal wind effect, overlays sun-crusts on solar aspects and scoured terrain in the alpine. The Jan 24 layer (surface hoar/crust) is down 30-40 cm at treeline and has been reactive in some areas in Yoho and Kootenay – Dig down and check for this layer before committing to steep terrain

See the avalanche section of the bulletin.

Weather Summary

Sunday will start sunny and become a mix of sun and clouds later in the day, with clouds and light flurries expected on Sunday night. Alpine winds will be out of the SW and increase from light in the morning to moderate with strong gusts in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures are expected to be between -12°C and -6°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

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.