Avalanche forecast

Glacier

Mar 11 – 12, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Snowfall and strong winds will be building storm slabs. These will be most reactive at ridgetop and in steep unsupported terrain features.

Recent avalanche cycles have cleaned out many start zones. However, there are still slopes that haven't flushed out the persistent slab problem. Be skeptical of terrain that hasn't avalanched

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–4

    Two persistent weak layers are buried ~130 and ~170 cm down. Last weeks snow, combined with extreme winds, overloaded these layers triggering large, destructive avalanches. Be very suspect of slopes that haven't recently avalanched. These weak layers are still within human triggering depths.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Low density snow is running fast and loose especially where it sits on a firm bed surface. Practice good sluff management techniques.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Snow flurries and strong wind gusts will build a reactive slab. Pay particular attention in ridge lee features, as the slab will be the most reactive with wind transport.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.
  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.

Avalanche Summary

We've seen a decrease in natural avalanche activity in the last few days but expect to see that change with the incoming storm.

Artillery control last Sunday produced numerous avalanches from size 2 to 4, in part due to rain at lower elevations and the active PWL at upper elevations.

See the Avalanche Canada blog post for info on dealing with persistent slab problems. Avalanches are becoming less likely but the consequence will remain massive for the foreseeable future.

Snowpack Summary

50-80 cms of new snow has fallen in the Alpine and at treeline since the recent warm-up/rain event. Strong to moderate winds have been moving this snow around in exposed areas

Below Treeline 15-20cm of new snow sits on top of the old refrozen rain crust.

The Feb 9 and Jan 26 surface hoar (SH) layers are now buried 110-170cm deep. The Jan 26th layer is a crust with either surface hoar (up to 40mm in some places!) or facets on top of it.

Weather Summary

An incoming storm will bring snow and strong winds.

Tonight Flurries, 15-20cm. Alpine low -9°C. Freezing level (FZL) 700m. Winds SW 20km/h gusting to 115km/hr

Thurs Flurries, 5cm. Alp High -8°C. Wind: W 30 gusting 55km/hr. FZL 700m.

Fri Cloud/Sun/Flurries, Precip: 1-2cm. Alp High -13°C. Wind W 20km/h. FZL Valley Bottom.

Wed Snow, 15cm. Alp High -12°C. Wind SW 25-40km/h. FZL VB.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Regions covered