Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2026–Mar 28th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

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

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

We are in the wake of a major avalanche cycle. Avalanche activity has slowed, yet the potential for large avalanches still exists.

Skiing and riding conditions are excellent but current conditions demand caution. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; slopes that have not already slid should be regarded as prime for triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

In the past week, an avalanche cycle has occurred with many natural and artificially triggered avalanches in the size 3 and 4 range.

On a flight Friday, Parks Canada staff observed a natural size three persistent slab from a Lectern sub-peak which ran full path, as well as a size two cornice fall in the Churchill range.

Snowpack Summary

The Icefields Parkway has received up to 120 cm of new snow since March 15th. Maligne received 30-50 cm. Below this soft snow, exists a temperature and rain crust formed during the March atmospheric river. This crust can be found from valley bottom up to 2300 m. A weak layer of facets and temperature crust is buried 70-170 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields are 150-220 cm, and Maligne is 80-140 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday

A weak southwesterly flow continues into the weekend, bringing light flurries, a mix of sun and cloud, and gradually rising temperatures up to -5 in the alpine.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries adding up to 5cm of new snow. Light to moderate winds and -8 in the alpine.

Monday

Flurries with sunny periods. Light winds and -10 in the alpine.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Problems

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.

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.