Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2026–Mar 1st, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Improved skiing conditions may be tempting but new snow and wind have built a slab over a persistent weak layer. Avoid wind-loaded terrain and make extra careful assessments.

Expect natural avalanche activity to continue through Sunday with sustained winds at alpine and treeline. Stay clear of any overhead hazard.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Icefields road patrol on Feb 28 confirmed a natural avalanche cycle with persistent slab avalanches up to size 3.5. Cornices have also grown significantly.

Avalanche control at Parkers Feb 27 produced several persistent slab results up to size 3, with the majority of loading occurring much lower on the slopes.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of new snow (with the higher amounts around the icefields) has been redistributed by strong winds, building wind slab over various old hard surfaces and a patchy surface hoar layer below treeline. This new snow has added load to a late January weak layer of facets and spotty surface hoar buried 40–60 cm deep, forming a persistent slab. The mid-pack is generally dense and well consolidated, with basal facets present in thinner snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Sunny with an alpine temperature high of -6 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -6 °C, High -2 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h. Freezing level rising to 2000 metres.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -2 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level rising to 1900 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
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.

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.