Avalanche forecast

South Columbia

Feb 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

People continue to trigger large avalanches on the various weak layers within the snowpack. Continue to make conservative terrain choices to have a safe day.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Two problematic layers of surface hoar, facets, and/or melt-freeze crust are buried 40 to 120 cm deep. Humans continue to trigger large avalanches on these layers each day, primarily between 1600 m and 2200 m and on all aspects.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Around 30 to 40 cm of snow has accumulated over a spotty layer of surface hoar and/or a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Storm slabs continue to be triggered where this snow has formed a slab.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

Many small to large (size 1 to 2) storm slab and persistent slab avalanches released on Tuesday, with many of them being triggered by humans (including remotely). Storm slabs released on north to east aspects at treeline elevations. Persistent slabs released between 1600 m and 2200 m on all aspects and were 30 to 70 cm deep.

It remains likely for humans to continue to trigger similar avalanches on the various weak layers described in the Snowpack Summary.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall over the past week has built up to 30 to 40 cm of snow, with deeper deposits in lee terrain features. This storm snow overlies an isolated layer of surface hoar crystals and a melt-freeze crust on sun-exposed slopes that formed mid-February. Storm slabs continue to release within the storm snow.

Two other layers of concern are found in the middle of the snowpack. Buried about 40 to 60 cm is the early-February layer of surface hoar crystals in wind-sheltered terrain and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. Buried about 70 to 120 cm is the late-January layer of surface hoar and facets over a melt-freeze crust. Both of these layers continue to form large avalanches.

The remainder of the snowpack is strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, with moderate to strong north valley wind possible. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind, with moderate to strong north valley wind possible. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
  • Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Regions covered