Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2026–Feb 18th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Glacier.

Two persistent weak layers in the upper 80cm of the snowpack are reactive to human triggering, especially in zones with little human use.

These have been observed at Treeline and below, with Parks field teams able to remote trigger or ski cut unsupported rolls up to size 2 avalanches.

Stick to conservative, supported lines.

Confidence

Moderate

We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

A field team on Abbott was able to easily ski cut touchy slabs from low angle terrain to sz 2 on unsupported rolls. Propagation was up to 30m across, 40cm deep.

On Monday, a field team remote triggered a sz 2 slab, 60-70cm deep, into Bostock Creek from 10m away. The debris snapped small trees near its toe.

Also on Monday, a notable sz 2 avalanche in Cougar Creek East caught and injured a rider, with the slab failing ~40cm down. This was likely on the Feb 9 surface hoar.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cm of new snow fell this past week. Ridge-top winds created slabs in immediate lee features.

The Feb 9 surface hoar (SH) is buried at the bottom of this new snow (40-60cm down) and is reactive in tests.

Recent Spring-like temps and sunshine created several crusts in the upper snowpack, upon which the Feb 9 SH sits.

The Jan 26th layer, composed of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried down 60-80cm. The largest surface hoar is preserved in sheltered areas below treeline.

Weather Summary

Cooler Arctic air moves into the region, lowering the temps. Expect a mix of sun/cloud with even the chance of isolated flurries.

Tonight: Clear. Alp low -14°C. Winds S 10km/h. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom.

Wed: Sun & cloud. Alp high -12°C. Winds W 15km/h. FZL 600m.

Thurs: Sun and cloud. Alp high -16°C. Ridge winds light. FZL valley bottom.

Fri: Sun and cloud. Alp high -14°C. Ridge winds light. FZL valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.