Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 18 – 19, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 8 months ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Challenging ski conditions. Wind slabs still linger in leeward alpine terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Continued W winds and mild temperatures have created widespread wind effect. Cornices have new and fragile growth.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    The January 3 surface hoar now sits 30–80 cm deep. In some areas, this layer has a firm slab over it and is at a prime depth for skier triggering. There have also been some recent reports of small avalanches on this layer and tests showing sudden planar shears. Dig frequently and test for sensitivity.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Basal facets remain near the ground. The recent storm and heating generated a few cornice-triggered and alpine slabs - mainly in shallow features. The remaining concern centers on the eastern side of the forecast area, particularly in thin to thick snowpack transitions.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A size 1 wind slab was reported on the Mountain Information Network along the Chickadee–Boom traverse today. Very little action was reported by the ski areas. Otherwise no avalanches were observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

A thin, skiable, temperature crust now caps the snowpack in most locations that was created by above-freezing layers early in the week. This will vary with each valley.

Widespread wind effect is found in the alpine and down into treeline elevations.

In several locations through the region, the January 3rd surface hoar layer is reactive down 30-100 cm.

The November facet/crust interfaces sit 20 - 40 cm up from the ground.

Weather Summary

Slightly cooler temps arrive Sunday, with valley temps near -4°C and ridgetops around -10°C. Models show no clear temperature inversion. Expect a mix of localized cloud and sun with nil precip. Winds will be variable, but could reach the strong range from the NW at 3000 m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you're most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.

Regions covered