Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2026–Mar 31st, 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.

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.

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. Identify features of concern and avoid recent wind loading.

Great skiing can be found at all elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

The field team noted a natural size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in the Boundary Paths, a cross-loaded alpine feature.

Snowpack Summary

Snowfall this week has accumulated 15cm and is being redistributed by West winds. A prominent crust was formed during the March 20 Atmospheric River, which brought 100mm of snow and rain to the Icefields region. This crust is 10cm thick at valley bottom and tapers out by 2300m. The Jan 24 PWL of crust and facets is buried 80 to 120cm. The lower snowpack is well consolidated with facets near the ground.

Snow depths are 150-220cm along the Parkway and 60-140cm in the Maligne area.

Weather Summary

Expect cloudy weather and a chance of flurries on Tuesday. Light Westerly winds with a daytime high of -7° C at 2200 m.

Light winds Wednesday and Thursday will bring snow, with up to 10 cm accumulating in alpine areas and freezing levels rising to 2100 m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.

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.

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.