Avalanche forecast

Northwest Coastal

Mar 28 – 29, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Triggering wind slabs and persistent slabs remains possible in the region.

Watch Conditions Update Here.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Be careful transitioning into wind affected terrain, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Persistent weak layers of crusts/facets or surface hoar in the top 200 cm of the snowpack may remain possible to trigger. Signs of instability may not be evident, so the best defence is choosing smaller, low-consequence terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, explosives triggered a size 2.5 slab out of a north-facing treeline feature. It was up to 70 cm deep and suspected to have failed on a persistent weak layer, a crust from mid-March. Several size 1 skier-triggered slabs were also reported below treeline, along with naturally triggered storm slabs up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds from variable directions left slabs and pressed surfaces in open and exposed terrain at upper elevations.

10 to 30 cm of softer settling snow can be found in wind-sheltered, shady areas. This snow is covering a variety of old surfaces, including surface hoar, facets, crusts, and/or wind-scoured snow. A new suncrust may have developed on sunny aspects.

There are multiple persistent weak layers consisting of crust/facets or surface hoar in the top 250 cm of the snowpack. While triggering these layers is trending unlikely, they present a low-probability, high-consequence problem.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly clear skies. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -11 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 6 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °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.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
  • In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Regions covered