Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Feb 27 – 28, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

There remains considerable uncertainty regarding the effect of extreme southerly winds and forecast precipitation on avalanche danger.

Take a conservative approach and take the time to carefully analyse conditions, which could change rapidly on Saturday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong to extreme southerly winds will transport available snow on Saturday morning and could promote the formation of slabs on leeward slopes. Snow expected in the afternoon will add to accumulations and could increase the danger as the day progresses.

    With such intense winds, conditions remain difficult to predict. Slabs could form lower than usual, below ridges and convexities in alpine terrain, in areas of lateral loading at the tree line, and possibly even below the tree line.

    However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty: the wind could also be strong enough to prevent snow from settling, thus limiting slab formation. Therefore, remain very vigilant and cautious on slopes that have recently been loaded by the wind.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The wind, rising temperatures and precipitation forecast for Saturday could significantly redistribute the snow in the mountains and change the situation in several ways.

At the time of writing the bulletin on Friday evening, accumulations since Monday have been highly variable depending on the sector. The southern part of the zone (Lyall, Hog's Back, Albert) received 15 to 20 cm of very light snow, while the Madeleine Mines sector recorded more than 30 cm. Spatial variability is therefore marked across the zone.

In the alpine terrain at Albert and at the tree line on Hog's Back Mountain, the snow has settled rather unevenly due to changing winds. In sheltered areas, it lies on firm surfaces or on a crust on sunny slopes. Larger accumulations are present in some areas of lateral loading, while western slopes generally remain lightly snow-covered.

Below the tree line and in areas protected from the wind, there is generally 20 to 40 cm of light snow resting on a gradually denser cover, with distribution varying greatly from one area to another.

At mid-mountain, the average snow depth is approximately 125 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

Saturday will be wild! Strong to extreme southerly winds in the morning and snow in the afternoon.

Friday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Light westerly wind becoming southerly at 30 to 40 km/h. Low of -18°C.

Saturday: Snow in the afternoon and evening, 5 to 10 cm. Winds from the south at 60 to 90 km/h, shifting to the west in the late afternoon. High of -2°C. Freezing level at 450 m.

Sunday: Cloudy. Wind from the west 20 to 40 km/h. High -17°C.

Monday: Sunny. Wind from the west 30 to 50 km/h. High -19.


For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for rapidly changing conditions during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.

Regions covered