Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2026–Feb 26th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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 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.

Regions

Dogtooth, East Purcell.

Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.

Persistent slabs sitting on a weak layer of surface hoar may be possible to human trigger.

Confidence

Moderate

Persistent slabs could become more likely with the forecast weather.

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, several rider triggered persistent slab avalanches up to size 2 were reported on a north aspect below treeline near Invermere.

Numerous naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2 were also reported throughout the region on east aspects in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow accompanied by strong southwest wind has formed deeper deposits on north and east aspects. In sheltered terrain it will overlie a variety of surfaces including surface hoar, facets, and a sun crust.

There are 2 prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack

A surface hoar/crust layer buried early to mid-February is down 15 to 30 cm.
A facet/crust layer buried at the end of January is down roughly 20 to 40 cm.

Below this, the mid and lower snowpack are well settled with several crust layers.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 10 cm of snow. 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday
Mostly cloudy. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Sunny. 35 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

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.