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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 25th, 2026–Mar 26th, 2026

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

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

A complex snowpack necessitates conservative terrain choices.

Very large human-triggered avalanches are possible, and strong sun could produce natural avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, a significant avalanche accident occurred on the east side of White Pass, behind the Big Y. A snowmobiler highmarking a steep west-facing alpine slope triggered a size 2 persistent slab from a rocky thin area, failing on facets near the ground.

Looking forward to Thursday, recently formed wind slabs could still be reactive to riders. Persistent slab avalanches remain possible to trigger, especially in steep, rocky, wind-affected terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Avoid travelling underneath them.

Strong winds have created wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs. Up to 60 cm of powder may still be found in sheltered areas.

Prolonged cold temperatures this winter have resulted in a very faceted mid to lower snowpack. Normally, thick and stiff wind-hardened layers would lower the likelihood of triggering these facets, but these layers are lacking their usual strength. Thick to thin upper treeline or lower alpine features are the most likely place to trigger weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.