Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 31st, 2026–Apr 1st, 2026

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, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Slow warming expected through the week. Plan your weekend objectives with this in mind: start early, end early!

We are cautiously gaining confidence in the snowpack; dig and investigate persistent weak layers before committing to slopes. Reactive wind slabs are building in the alpine.

Great skiing can be found at all elevations.

Confidence

High

We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

The field team noted a previous natural cycle, with new wind slabs noted in alpine features.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 cm of new snow has fallen this week, redistributed by W winds. Below, a firm crust is supportive at low elevations but gradually disappears above treeline, around 2300 m. A deeper PWL from late January persists, down 80–120 cm. The lower snowpack is generally strong, though a weak, faceted base exists near the ground. Total snow depths vary across the region, with deeper coverage along the Icefields Parkway (150–220 cm) and less in the Maligne area (60–140 cm).

Weather Summary

Tonight: Clear . No precip. Low -13 °C. Light Winds to 20 km/h.

Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace. High: -4 °C. Wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level: 1500m

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. Trace. Low -9 °C, High -2 °C. Wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level: 1900m

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Low -7 °C, High -3 °C. Freezing level: 1900m

Terrain and Travel Advice

Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.

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.

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.