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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 possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Little Yoho, Kootenay, Lake Louise, Sunshine, Field.

With the arrival of a substantial storm, we have expanded this region to include terrain south of Lake Louise, where the Jan 24 layer may wake up as it becomes loaded. The wind has been blowing at over 120 km/hr, and we expect 20-40 cm overnight, which will initiate a natural avalanche cycle. Avoid all avalanche terrain on Friday.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine and Lake Louise ski areas reported explosive and skier-controlled wind slabs in alpine lees up to size 1. Avalanches up to size 2 were reported on Mt Dennis (ice climbing areas) in Field.

Visibility was very limited on Thursday, and most people were sheltering from the wind.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of new snow and extreme winds will form deep, reactive windslabs in all areas. These overlie the Jan 24 layer (surface hoar/crust/facet) down 30-40 cm at treeline. This layer has been very touchy in Kootenay and Yoho, and with this new load, we believe it may now wake up in areas south of Lake Louise. We expect 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

  • Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.

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.