Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2026–Feb 27th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Incoming snow and strong winds are forming windslabs and adding load over a persistent weak layer.

The Icefields Parkway will be closed for avalanche control on February 26th until February 27th from Parker Ridge to Saskatchewan Crossing. Check for updates on https://511.alberta.ca/

Confidence

Low

We are uncertain due to the track and intensity of the incoming weather system.
We are uncertain about how persistent slabs will react to the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

The Icefields Parkway patrol was unable to see into alpine and treeline eleveations due to winds and blowing snow. Strong wind conditions noted with windslabs forming.

Snowpack Summary

15-30cm of new and incoming snow will be redistributed by strong winds building windslab layers over various old hard surfaces, or a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. This incoming snow will add load on top of a late January weak layer consisting of facets and spotty surface hoar 30-60cm below the surface, forming a persistent slab. The midpack is generally dense and well consolidated with basal facets in thin snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Friday

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -11 °C.

Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -12 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.