Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2026–Mar 5th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Kananaskis, Bow Valley, Highwood Pass, North 40, Spray - KLakes.

Field teams in the commonwealth loop area today experienced strong to extreme wind gusts in treeline and above terrain. A fresh dusting of snow is expected tonight and in to tomorrow, Fresh wind slabs will cover up recently built wind slabs, Give the mountain time to settle they have been through alot in the past week

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today

Snowpack Summary

A thin suncrust was evident in valley bottoms today and solar aspects to 2200m.

Continued snow transport today. All open areas at treeline and alpine have wind slabs. These look plump and likely triggerable in steep convex terrain. Cornices have also grown with the wind and warmer afternoon temperatures. With slab growth, the Feb 14th layer is now down 60-80cm, and maybe up to 100cm in wind loaded areas. Despite the wind, below tree line areas, or very sheltered treeline areas have nice settled powder snow offering good skiing/riding.

Weather Summary

Wednesday will be a stormy day. Snow, wind and warm temps.

10cm of snow could fall by end of day.

50km/h winds out of the WSW

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Recent strong wind means wind slabs may be found farther downslope than expected.
Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed 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.