Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 21 – 22, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Despite the cooler temperatures and previous widespread natural avalanche cycle, there is potential for avalanches to occur with human triggering and large loads.

Avalanche control is planned for the Sunshine Road and Mt. Wymper Sunday, March 22nd and avalanche closure areas will be CLOSED for these zones.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4

    A layer of facets and/or surface hoar is buried 50–150 cm deep. This problem will be more reactive in areas where a surface crust hasn't formed..

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Recent and incoming storm snow has formed settled soft/hard slabs and wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain due to how buried persistent weak layers will react with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread avalanche cycle has occurred over the last week up to size 4. Explosive control Saturday on highway 93N produced large avalanches up to size 4 that buried the road.

Snowpack Summary

60-150 mm of precipitation has fell over the last week, which translates into roughly 100-160 cm of storm snow at higher elevations, and significant amounts of rain at lower elevations which is forming a crust treeline and below. Strong south and west winds have loaded lee aspects.

Weather Summary

Saturday night: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Alpine temps: Low -9 °C. Mostly light ridge wind.

Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Mostly light ridge wind.

Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alp temps: Low -8 °C, High -4 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Very large and destructive avalanches could reach valley bottom.
  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.

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