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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 16th, 2025–Nov 17th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season

Regions

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

Watch for wind slabs in lee alpine areas. We expect these slabs to be small in size and to become less reactive, but we still have limited field observations.

Any avalanche could be a nasty ride with the shallow snowpack and early-season hazards, so enter steep terrain with caution.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were some small explosive-triggered wind slab avalanches at Lake Louise ski hill on Saturday and Sunday in steep alpine lees up to size 1.5. There was evidence of natural avalanches during the Nov 13 storm to size 1.5, but no recent natural activity.

Snowpack Summary

15-20+cm fell at treeline and above on Nov 13 with wet snow and rain below 2000-2300 m, creating a crust at lower elevations. Previous moderate to strong S-W winds have developed isolated alpine wind slabs. Overall, the snowpack is well settled and supportive. Treeline snow depths range from 40-70 cm, with snow depths tapering rapidly below 1800 m.

Weather Summary

Mild temperatures will continue over the next few days, with valley bottom temperatures going above freezing, and alpine temperatures staying around -5°C. Light to moderate SW winds, and trace amounts of snow on Monday. A bit more snow arrives on Tuesday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.