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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2026–Feb 27th, 2026

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Banff, East Side 93N, LLSA, West Side 93N.

Sustained winds reaching over 120 km/hr have been recorded over the past 36 hours. Combined with the expected snowfall of 20-40 cm, this will initiate an avalanche cycle on Friday, and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine and Lake Louise ski areas reported explosive and skier-controlled wind slabs in alpine lees up to size 1, but visibility was very limited and most people were shelterering from the wind today.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of snow will fall in this region, with the deepest accumulations occurring north of Lake Louise. Combined with sustained extreme SW winds, this will form deep, reactive windslabs in all areas and will trigger a natural avalanche cycle on Friday.

Weather Summary

The storm has arrived, led in by winds in excess of 120 km/hr and snow that began falling Thursday afternoon. Storm predictions are calling for 30-40 cm north of Lake Louise, and 10-15 cm south of Lake Louise, with extreme SW winds in all areas. Temperatures will remain in the -5 to -10 range, and the whole thing should calm down and clear out by Friday evening. Hang onto your hat!

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

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.