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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 27th, 2026–Feb 28th, 2026

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

Regions

Kootenay Boundary, Purcells, Bonnington, Grohman, Kootenay Pass, Norns, Rossland, Ymir, Crawford, Moyie, St. Mary, Kokanee, Valhalla, Whatshan.

Persistent slabs sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar have been most reactive at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday, a size 2.5 avalanche was triggered from 2 m away, at a steep opening in the forest at 1700 m. Several other rider-triggered avalanches were reported between 1900 and 2300 m with crowns 40 to 70 cm deep.

Over the past week, numerous large, persistent slab avalanches have been triggered by riders and failed naturally. (MIN)

Last Saturday, a rider triggered a large (size 2.5) persistent slab avalanche near Whitewater, on a northeast aspect at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 30 cm of recent snow and variable strong winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects and elevations, including into open areas below treeline.

In the top 100 cm of the snowpack, there are multiple concerning weak layers of surface hoar and/or crusts/facets. The majority of recent persistent slab avalanches have been on well-preserved surface hoar in sheltered areas at treeline and below.

The mid and lower snowpack are well settled.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.