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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2026–Mar 28th, 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.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Fresh snow has improved ski conditions, and also formed wind slabs on lee slopes and isolated storm slabs on the March 20 crust.

Avalanche danger is gradually decreasing. However, it’s still wise to be cautious in larger terrain while assessing how reactive the remaining layers in the snowpack are.

Confidence

Moderate

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

Avalanche Summary

Small wind slabs triggered by explosives, up to size 1.5, were reported by the Lake Louise and Sunshine ski areas on Friday.

One natural loose dry size 1.5 from Thursday was reported in steep terrain in the Sunshine backcountry.

Small storm snow avalanches failing on the March 20 rain crust were reported in Kootenay on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

15-40 cm of new snow fell last week, with strong SW winds creating wind effect in open areas, and wind slabs in lee areas. This snow fell on the Mar 20th rain crust, which exists below 2100-2300 m. Above this crust, various buried sun crusts exist on solar aspects, extending to higher elevations.

The January 24th facet layer is buried 70–180 cm deep at treeline and in the alpine, with some tests still producing hard, sudden results.

Weather Summary

A few cm of snow on Friday night, then a mix of sun and cloud on Saturday. Convective flurries may result in larger accumulations in some areas. Freezing levels will climb to ~1800 m. Treeline temperatures stay steady around -5°C, with light to moderate SW winds.

Sunday - A mix of sun and cloud, light to moderate SW winds, and treeline temperatures between -5°C and -9°C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.

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.