Avalanche forecast

Haines Pass

Mar 24 – 25, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Wind slabs can step down to deeply buried weak layers, creating very large avalanches.

Choose smaller, low-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Northeast outflow winds in the past 24 hours have created fresh pockets of wind slabs in southwest-facing terrain. Wind slabs may overlie a weak layer of facets and could remain reactive for longer than usual.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Cornices are large, looming, and may trigger large persistent slabs on slopes below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3.5

    There are multiple persistent weak layers of facets or crust/facets combinations in the top 200 cm of the snowpack. Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering these slabs is more likely.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

A very large avalanche resulted in a fatality on March 22 near Mt McDonell. More information can be found here.

Snowpack Summary

Cornices are large and looming. Avoid travelling underneath them.

Strong northeast winds have created wind-affected surfaces and wind slabs over a weak layer of crust/facets that have recently been reactive to human triggers.

There are multiple persistent weak layers of facets or crust/facets combinations in the top 200 cm of the snowpack. These layers are most likely to trigger in wind-affected areas or a shallow or thick-to-thin snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear skies. 40 to 50 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Thursday

Sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.

Friday

Sunny. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers, causing larger avalanches.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.

Regions covered