Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2026–Mar 26th, 2026

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Another pulse of snow could keep the hazard rating at High for tomorrow. Watch new snow amounts carefully and avoid alpine avalanche slopes.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

As expected, today had many avalanches. Most noteworthy was a cornice triggered sz3 on Snow Peak (Burstall pass area). NE aspect, alpine start zone, ran to valley bottom. Several other windslabs were reported, all in the sz2 range and on E aspects. Some failed on reloaded bed surfaces.

Snowpack Summary

Last night and this morning we received more snow than expected. The northern part of the region got up to 45cm, the central (Tent Ridge area) had 15, and the southern part had about 20cm. With the warmer temperatures and solar input, all areas saw rapid settlement. As a general summary, we have 30-45cm over the recent crust. The new snow has already formed slabs as soon as the trees open up. Settlement is likely adding to the slabs. There was also some cracking while breaking trail above treeline. Low elevation (200m and below) and solar aspects had moist snow appear as soon as the sun came out.

Weather Summary

We'll see another 10cm of snow come in overnight tonight. During the brief but intense storm, winds will be variable in direction and gusty in nature. Summit height winds will be a bit more settled at the 30-40km/hr mark and westerly. Temperatures will be about -8 for a high. Despite the cloud, expect there to be strong solar component to our warming.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.

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.

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.

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.