Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Mar 14 – 15, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

It is still possible for a skier to trigger a wind slab avalanche on slopes that have recently been loaded by the wind. As these slabs rest on a crust, their stability remains uncertain. Assess wind-loaded slopes carefully before venturing onto them and give preference to those that have not been affected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    A significant amount of snow transport was observed on Mount Albert on Friday, meaning that the wind slabs present in the mountains on Sunday will have formed within the last 48 hours. Although they are slowly stabilising, there is still a possibility that a skier could trigger them while passing over them.

    They are found mainly beneath alpine ridges and in areas of lateral loading at the tree line. These slabs rest either on a crust or on a thin layer of ice pellets, sometimes both. These interfaces provide excellent glide planes for avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Some signs of instability were observed on the eastern slope of Hog's Back on Saturday, as reported on the Mountain Information Network: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/2037f855-1fea-11f1-b0a6-0a58a9feac02

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

Snowpack Summary

Since Wednesday, between 20 and 30 cm of fresh snow has fallen. A thin layer of ice pellets lies within this snow, approximately 10 to 15 cm below the surface. That new snow rests on a widespread melt-freeze crust in the mountains. This crust generally supports a skier’s weight in alpine terrain, but it is less supportive below the tree line.

We will be monitoring these two more fragile layers closely (crust and ice pellets), as they could persist within the snowpack and slow down the stabilisation of the slabs covering them.

Beneath this widespread crust, the middle of the snowpack remains well consolidated.

Strong to extreme winds from the south, then from the north-west, have created significant variability in the snowpack in alpine terrain and at the tree line, and in places even below the tree line.

At mid-mountain, the average snowpack depth is around 140 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A high-pressure system will bring us a brief spell of clear weather on Sunday afternoon, before we come under the influence of a strong low-pressure system bringing warm temperatures, rain and wind at the start of the week.

Saturday evening and night

Intermittent snow, 1 to 2 cm. Light wind veering north-westerly. High -12°C.

Sunday

Light, intermittent snow clearing in the morning. North-westerly wind 20–40 km/h. High -8°C.

Monday

Snow, 2–4 cm. South-easterly wind 50–80 km/h. High -2°C. Freezing level at 450 m.

Tuesday

Rain, 15 to 30 mm. Southerly wind 30 to 90 km/h. Maximum +8°C. Freezing level at 3300 m.


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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Regions covered