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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2026–Feb 18th, 2026

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

Regions

Little Yoho, Kootenay.

The recent snow is a welcome refresh; however, in isolated areas below and at treeline, a 40 cm slab now loads the Jan 24 surface hoar. Look for this layer and test it before committing to the terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Uncertainty with the Persistent Slab problem continues within a narrow elevation band in Yoho and Kootenay. No avalanches were observed or reported on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm of storm snow has fallen, ending Tuesday midday. 20-40 cm of low density snow sits on top the Jan 24 layer (surface hoar/crust) and is down 20-40 cm at treeline and may become more active with this additional new snow – watch carefully for this, as this layer has been reactive in isolated pockets between 1600 and 1900 m.

Weather Summary

The snow will taper off as a cold, stationary front moves in on Wednesday, bringing colder temperatures: valley around -12 and ridge around -16. Winds will remain relatively light through Wednesday, from the west.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Approach steep and open slopes at and below treeline cautiously, as buried surface hoar may exist.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.