Avalanche forecast

Waterton Lakes

Feb 19 – 22, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate

Highlights

The snow is light and skiing is good, but keep in mind that the snow is still settling after a recent load of 50 cm.

Keep an eye out for signs of wind effect. The same light snow which is good for skiing is also ideal for wind transport.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A faceted weak layer exists under a thin crust in isolated northerly pockets. Depending on wind transport over the next few days, this layer could become active. We have had consistent easy propagating test results on this layer.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Weather forecasts are in disagreement about incoming cloud cover. Keep an eye out for clearing skies as solar input will increase the likelihood of this problem.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    While storm slab is a current problem, as the storm tappers off and moderate winds forecasted for Friday arrive, light unconsolidated snow could easily be wind transported.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Due to current weather, it has been difficult to visualize starting zones. Avalanches have not been observed, but various signs of instability were experienced by our field team over the past couple days.

Snowpack Summary

Another 20 cm fell on top of the 20-30 cm we received over the past weekend. This snow is light density and unconsolidated in most places.

Under this, on polar aspects there are a series of melt freeze crusts and faceted layers. While on solar aspects, these layers have combined to form a singular thick melt freeze crust.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Low of -19 °C, High of -11 °C. Wind gusting to 35 km/h.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Low of -13 °C, High of -11 °C. Wind gusting to 35 km/h.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Low of -11 °C, High of -7 °C. Light wind up to 20 km/h.

Current weather forecast: Mountain Weather Forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Regions covered