Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Mar 29 – 30, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

On Monday, avoid avalanche terrain, especially wind-loaded areas in the alpine and at treeline, where new wind slabs will form quickly. Avalanche danger will rise throughout the day with the arrival of new snow and strong winds.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Throughout the day Monday, new wind slabs will form and remain reactive to rider triggering. These slabs will build over older, more stubborn wind slabs, creating a layered problem.

    As these slabs sit on a melt-freeze crust—providing an ideal sliding surface—natural avalanches are possible.

    Strong winds will build slabs lower than usual on slopes, with additional cross-loading expected at treeline. Slab thickness may reach 20 to 60 cm.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Between 5 and 20 cm of low-density snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust. Wind has significantly redistributed the surface snow. Within a few turns, you can move from soft powder to icy surfaces or wind affected snow.

The melt-freeze crust is supportive in alpine and at treeline, but remains breakable in places below treeline.

At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A low-pressure system moving across Gaspésie on Monday will bring snowfall along with strong southwest winds.

Sunday Evening and Night: Partly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of accumulation. West wind at 20 to 40 km/h. Low of -10 °C.

Monday: Snow. 10 to 15 cm of accumulation. Southwest wind at 50 to 70 km/h. High of 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 600 m.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud. West wind at 10 to 30 km/h. High of -8 °C.

Wednesday: Snow. 5 to 15 cm of accumulation. East wind at 10 to 30 km/h. High of -5 °C.


For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind-exposed terrain.

Regions covered