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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2026–Mar 12th, 2026

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.
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, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

10-25 cm of new snow and strong winds is forecast for Wednesday night and into Thursday. If this materializes, the danger will rise to HIGH on Thursday

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to the timing, track, and intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise Snow Safety triggered several size 2's in steep alpine terrain on Wednesday. These were windslabs 40 cm deep that propagated a bit wider and ran further than expected.

Monday, skiers remotely triggered a size 2 avalanche on the Peyto Hut access moraines likely on the persistent layer.

Snowpack Summary

20–40 cm of recent storm snow exists above ~1800m. Below 1800m, a supportive rain crust exists with ~5-20 cm on top. Beneath this, a persistent weak layer comprised of facets and/or surface hoar exists 30-90 cm down. This has been most reactive near treeline in Yoho & Kootenay, but has also caused avalanches in other areas, including the alpine.

Weather Summary

A frontal system is approaching Wednesday PM which will bring 10-25 cm by Thursday AM. Temperatures will stay cool throughout and ridgetop winds will generally be light to moderate from the west other than some strong winds on Thursday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Carefully manage your exposure to overhead hazards.

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.