Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 4 – 5, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

As the skies clear and temperatures rise, the more the hazard will increase.

There is some uncertainty around how well the recent snow is bonding to old surfaces. Assess this problem by digging down and watching for signs like cracking, whumphing, and recent avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds Tuesday night could produce wind slabs in specific locations, particularly at ridgetop and areas previously untouched by the wind.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A surface slab may have formed with previous wind and/or daytime warming in specific locations, sitting over hard surfaces and/or surface hoar. This is a developing problem that could catch users off guard as it is likely susceptible to human triggering.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Clear skies and warm air will elevate freezing to ridgetop and higher on southerly aspects. Wet loose avalanches are expected, particularly proximate to southerly rock outcrops.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Debris from a recent size 2.5 (last 48 hours) was observed out of the north side of Mt. Stephen today. A size 2 recent windslab avalanche out of the SE side of Brewster rock near Sunshine was also observed.

Over the weekend multiple avalanche involvements were reported, up to size 2, all running 10-25 cm deep on the surface hoar/crust layer.

Your MIN reports are very useful when building our forecasts. Thank you all for past and future submissions

Snowpack Summary

Incremental small inputs of new snow over the last week (10-30cm) overlies the Jan 24th surface hoar, crust and/or previously wind affected snow. This surface snow is consolidating into a slab with warm temperatures and wind.

Weather Summary

Wednesday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: High 2 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level: 2800m

Thursday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: Low 0 °C, High 2 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level: 2900m

Friday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine temperature: Low -2 °C, High 1 °C. Freezing level: 2800m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Use extra caution for areas that are experiencing rapidly warming temperatures for the first time.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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