Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2026–Apr 17th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Rockies, Bull, Crowsnest North, Crowsnest South, Elkford East, Elkford West.

Avoid travelling underneath slopes in the sun.

Wind slabs are still possible in the alpine.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received reports of recent avalanches.

Looking forward, wet loose avalanches will become likely as the sun comes out. Wind slabs may still be triggered in lee areas.

Please consider submitting a MIN to let us know what you're seeing out there.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of new snow has fallen in the last three days. This snow either sits on a melt-freeze crust at upper elevations or wet snow lower down. In exposed areas the new snow has likely been redistributed by

A weak layer of facets above a hard crust is buried 50 to 70 cm deep. This layer hasn't produced avalanches since last week's warm weather.

Facets exist at the base of the snowpack in shallow areas.

The snowpack continues to melt at lower elevations.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. Up to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 2400 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avoid sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.