Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2026–Apr 6th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Recent avalanches have been triggered by rock or cornice fall. Consider large loads when choosing terrain.

Dig and investigate persistent weak layers before committing to slopes.

The best skiing is on sheltered north facing slopes in the alpine and at treeline.

Confidence

High

We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.

Avalanche Summary

Mt. Nigel had two separate size 2.5 avalanches that released on the persistent weak layer on April 2nd. Both were on a southwest aspect and likely caused by warm temps and solar radiation.

A size 2.5 cornice triggered persistent slab was observed on the west face of Mt. McGuire on April 1st originating in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A sun crust has formed on solar aspects. Dry snow can still be found on polars. Previous southwesterly winds have created wind slabs in the alpine. 20-40 cm below, a firm rain crust is supportive at low elevations but gradually disappears above tree line, around 2300 m. A deeper persistent weak layer from late January exists in the alpine down 80–120 cm. The lower snowpack is generally strong although weak basal facets can still be found in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Sunday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -1 °C.

Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Freezing level: 2200 metres.

Monday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -2 °C, High 1 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level: 2300 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

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.