Avalanche forecast

Haines Pass

Apr 10 – 11, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Avoid steep slopes if the snow is moist, and stay clear of cornices, which may weaken and threaten slopes below, triggering a persistent slab.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent incremental accumulated snow is being redistributed by moderate wind over various old surfaces: wind-pressed in exposed terrain, softer settling snow in sheltered terrain and a sun crust on solar-facing slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4

    A layer of facets over a crust is buried 80 to 150cm, there have been no new reports of avalanches on this layer and is likely difficult to trigger with the stable weather but may become reactive again this weekend with warming temperatures.

  • Loose Wet

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

    The sun can pack a punch! Use caution on slopes facing the sun and back off if the snow becomes moist and or wet. Pinwheels and natural avalanches are your initial signs of instability.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported.

We suspect solar radiation may trigger natural wet loose avalanches on sun-facing slopes on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Recent incremental accumulation of light snow is being redistributed by moderate west wind developing isolated wind slabs.

Below this most recent snow there are various old surfaces. Wind-pressed in exposed terrain. Settled soft snow and/or faceted in sheltered north aspect and sun crust on solar-facing slopes.

A persistent weak layer of facets and crust is buried 80 to 150 cm deep, extending up to about 1400 m. The greatest concern for triggering comes from large loads, such as cornice falls, or from human triggering in areas where the snowpack transitions from thin to thick.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Clear skies. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Saturday
Sunny. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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