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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 18th, 2026–Feb 19th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Glacier.

Conservative terrain use is essential

Human triggered avalanches are expected, especially in areas where people haven't been yet.

Remote and rider triggered persistent slabs avalanches are occurring daily.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident that there are persistent slabs in the snowpack, but uncertain about how likely they are to trigger.
  • The snowpack structure is well understood.

Avalanche Summary

This week field teams have remotely triggered numerous size 1 to 2 persistent slabs from low angle terrain. These have been 40 -60cm deep failing on either of the surface hoar layers in the upper snowpack at tree line and below.

On Abbott a ski cut on a flat bench produced a sz 2 30m across, 40cm deep.

In the Bostock creek area 2 separate sz 2 avalanches were triggered from 10 to 40m away breaking small trees.

On Monday, a sz 2 avalanche in Cougar Creek East caught and injured a rider.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60cm of new snow fell this past week. Ridge-top winds created slabs in immediate lee features.

The Feb 9 surface hoar (SH) is buried at the bottom of this new snow (40-60cm down) and is reactive in tests.

Recent Spring-like temps and sunshine created several crusts in the upper snowpack, upon which the Feb 9 SH sits.

The Jan 26th layer, composed of surface hoar/facets/crust, is buried down 60-80cm. The largest surface hoar is preserved in sheltered areas below treeline.

Weather Summary

The arctic airmass will keep things cool and calm with some isolated flurries.

Tonight: Clear periods, isolated flurries. Alp low -16°C. Light SW winds. Freezing level (FZL) valley bottom.

Thurs: Sun and cloud, isolated flurries. Alp high -14°C. Light W winds. FZL valley bottom.

Fri: Sun and cloud. Alp high -12°C. Ridge winds light. FZL 500m.

Sat: Sun and cloud. Alp high -14°C. Ridge winds light. FZL 700m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Problems

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.

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.