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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2026–Mar 6th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Uncertainty remains regarding a layer of facets 40 to 60 cm deep that is reactive at treeline and above. Several avalanches have failed on this layer over the past week.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the area.

Snowpack Summary

A complex snowpack remains in the wake of the recent storm. A common pattern is a 40 to 60 cm slab poorly bonded to facets or a facet crust combination formed on Jan. 24. The distribution of this layer (its location) is difficult to pin down, and for now, we are concerned about all steep terrain, especially on SE through W aspects.

Weather Summary

Friday: Mix of sun and cloud, with trace amounts of snow. Winds 30-40km/h from the west, and treeline temperatures rising to -3C (1900m freezing level)

Saturday: Strong winds from the West, trace amounts of snow, and freezing levels 2000m rising to 2400m.

Sunday: Strong to extreme winds with snow starting in the afternoon as a system enters our region.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.